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THE 

HISTORY 

OF 

WATERBURY, 

CONNECTICUT; 



THE OEIGINAL TOWNSHIP EMBRACING PEESENT WATEETOWN AND 

PLYMOUTH, AND PARTS OF OXFOED, WOLCOTT, MIDDLE- 

BUEY, PEOSPECT AND NAUGATUCK. 



OF 

BIOGRAPHY, GENEALOGY AND STATISTICS. 



BY HENRY BRONSON, M. D. 




WATERBURY: 
PUBLISHED BY BRONSON BROTHERS. 

1868. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, 

By henry BRONSON, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. 



Printed by 
T. J. STAFFORD, 

State Street, (Stafford Building,) 
New Haven. 






PUBLISHER S' NOTICE. 



The late financial crisis rendered it expedient to defer for a 
few months the issue of this volume. The publishers would 
regret this, had not the delay enabled them to add to the 
number of engravings which had been previously provided. 
Subscribei'S and others, it is hoped, will be more than satisfied. 
Besides the additions referred to, the work contains over one 
hundred pages of printed matter more than were anticipated 
when proposals were issued. In point of mechanical execu- 
tion, the publishers feel assured the book will occasion no 
disappointment, unless an agreeable one. They have taken 
pride in it, and have not been actuated wholly by selfish 
motives. As a work of art, however, they do not take the chief 
credit to themselves. Unaided, they could have done little 
towards providing the numerous and expensive engravings 
which embellish the volume. The greater proportion of these 
have been furnished by the liberality of others — those taking a 
deep interest in the success of the undertaking. The author 
has sacrificed much time and labor, with tlie object of benefit- 
ing his native town, and presenting it with a reliable record 
of its past history. Of his success, it is unnecessary here 
to speak. It has been the aim of all interested, to make the 
book in substance and in form, worthy of the dead, honorable 
to the living, and acceptable to its immediate patrons. 

BROXSON BROTHERS, Publisher.'^. 
Watkkbury, May, 1858. 



PREFACE. 



It is -well known that my father, the late Bennet Bronson, spent 
ranch time in the collection of facts, historical, genealogical and tradi- 
tionary, relating to the early history of Waterbury. He began, this 
s(/ work as early as 1820, and prosecuted it at intervals during the re- 
mainder of his life. His object was simply information on a subject 
which had been almost wholly neglected by others. He not only 
searched the "Waterbury records, but he examined the records of Far- 
. mington and Hartford, and opened a correspondence with those suppos- 
ed to have important knowledge of the old famillies of the town. Thus 
he gained a large stock of information, and about 1830, wrote a brief 
historical account of ancient Waterbury, which he delivered to his fel- 
low citizens, as an evening lecture, in the old meeting house. After- 
wards, several prominent individuals addressed him a letter, requesting 
him to write, for publication, a history of the town. He neglected to 
do this ; but when Barber was gathering materials for the Connecticut 
Historical Collections, he furnished a sketch of the old town, which, 
with slight alterations and some abridgment, was published in that work. 
Two or three years before his death, he re-wrote his lecture, amplifying 
and correcting it, and bringing it down to the close of the Revolutionary 



IV PREFACE. 

war. As left, it would liave made, perhaps, fifteen printed pages. 
He also added to, and perfected in a certain sense, his genealogical 
tables. 

Two years after my father's death, with a design of preserving more 
effectually what had been done, I undertook myself to write a fuller his- 
torical sketch, using the papers which have been mentioned, and the 
notes and extracts from records from which these had been prepared. 
My labors then had no reference to publication, At this stage, the 
Messrs. Bronson Brothers proposed to publish a History of Waterbury, 
and applied to me to provide the manuscript. Knowing the labor and 
time which would be required, I declined. No one else, however, being 
willing to undertake the task, I reversed my decision, and reluctantly 
consented. I soon found, however, that in order to understand the sub- 
ject — to get hold of its spirit and to construe properly the facts — I 
must begin at the beginning and go over the entire ground anew. I 
have done this, and the present book is the result. Those who have 
been engaged in a similar undertaking need not be told the labor it has 
cost ; and those who have not would not comprehend me, though I 
should attempt to tell them. 

Deemino- the early events of Waterbury in most need of a historian — 
in most danger of being lost — I have given much time and space to 
them. Modern history, particularly that which may be called post- 
Revolutionary, has not engaged so much of my attention. After 1800, 
the reader will find only items and fragments, with no attempt at a 
complete history. What I have neglected it is to be hoped some other 
person, who is willing to labor in a humble way without reward, will 
undertake. 

In what I have written, I have relied mainly on record evidence, and 
rejected traditional knowledge as untrustworthy. By pursuing this 
method, I have sometimes sacrificed popular attraction to truth or, in 
other words, history. It has been no part of my purpose to furnish en- 



PREFACE. V 

tertaiament for the readers of legendary tales, though I might have done 
so with comparatively little labor. I have aimed to be correct in all that 
I have written and quoted. It cannot be, however, that I have made no 
mistakes. My authorities have sometimes been copies of the originals 

/ made by others, which in some cases had been re-written, possibly, more 
than once. Facts and dates given in letters of correspondence may have 
been relied on too implicitly. It is easier to criticise error in a work of 
this kind, than wholly to avoid it. It is common to plead " want of time " 
as an apology for shortcomings in this regard ; but I claim that no man 

( has a right to make a book in haste. In my quotations from early rec- 
ords, I have preferred, in most cases, to give perfect transcripts of the 
originals, even to the matter of orthography and punctuation. My ob- 
ject in this has been to give the truest history, and to preserve portions 
of the record which might be lost. Thinking it improbable that any one 
would again go over the ground of my inquiries, at any rate, with 
equal advantages, I have endeavored to perpetuate what I could with 
authentic types. If the reader complains that I have introduced trivial 
subjects, and have spent too much time on things of little importance, I 
have only to say, that I have occupied myself with the matters which 
most interested those whose history I have written. The)/ were men 
who gave their time to their own private affairs — to their individual, 

^ social, religious and material interests — and I must needs dwell upon 
these or be silent. 

Of those who have assisted me in the preparation of this work, I must 
mention particularly Mr. Philo M. Trowbridge. He has given me 
important aid in the examination of records and in furnishing me with 
extracts. He has had charge of the genealogies contained in the Appen- y 
dix, and is chiefly responsible for that portion of the work. I have 
furnished him my own and my father's collections of materials ; and 
from these and the original records, and his own independent inquiries, 
he has compiled the tables. These extended genealogies were not 



VI PEEFACE. 

contemplated in the original plan of the work. I designed to give a 
somewhat particular account of the orginal proprietors of Waterbury 
and their children, as I have done in Chapters XI and XII ; but the 
continuation of the subject in the Appendix was an afterthought of the 
publishers and others. This will explain how it happens that the gene- 
alogies of particular families are to be sought for in different portions of 
the work. 

Mr. Sylvester Judd of Northampton has given me much information 
concerning the first settlers of Waterbury. Rev. William S. Porter of 
New Haven has kindly allowed me the use of his papers on the geneal- 
ogy of the early settlers of Farmington. 

In the preparation of this volume, I have found it difficult to divest 
myself of the idea that I am still a resident of my native town. Find- 
incr this, on the whole, a pleasant delusion, I have taken no pains to 
dispel it. From many passages in the work, the reader would infer that 
Waterbury had not ceased to be my dwelling place. 

I am mortified to find that there are a few errors which escaped notice 
till the sheets were printed. They are in part owing to my inexperience 
in reading proofs. The most important of them, it is hoped, have been 
corrected in the errata at the end. 

New Haven, December, 1857. 



INDKX TO ENCiKAVlNGS. 



' ViKw (»K TiiK City ok Watkiuii uv, (>Ii|iositc Title Page. 

PoKTKAiT or Hksskt Bkonsox, ()[)positc Page 1 



I'l.AS (tF TIIK VlLLACK OF MaTTATICK, 

PoRTIlAIT OF SaMUKL IIoPKISS, I). I)., 

Mark LEAVENwonTii 

I Map of tiik Old Towssiiir of Watkriuuy 

PoUTKAlT OF J. M, L. SCOVII.I., 

*' Dr. Isaac Bkoxsox, 

Eli Tekry, 

Fac-simii.k.-< 

Portrait of Sami ki. M. Hoi-kins, LL. I»., 

" Wll.MAM II. SCOYII.L, 

Dkacos James Browx 

" Josiaii Bronson, 

Dr. Ambrgsr Ives, 

Captain Rekden IIoi.mks, 

Almon Farrell, 

. " Deacon Aaron Benedict, 

" Ai.viN Bronson, 

" Setii Thomas, 

John Bcckincjham 

Green Kendrick, 

Silas Broxson, . 

Israel Holmes, 

< ViKw OK Hkxepict ANU Bl'rnham Maxlfactirixcj iVs WoitK- 
Wateriu-ry Brass Compaxy's Works, 

ScOVILL MaNIFACTCRING CoMPAXY-'s WtlRKS, 

Bhown and Brothers' Work.s, 

IIulmes, Booth and IIaykkn.s" ^\'l•KK.< 



•18 

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20K 
22-1 
240 

2f)<; 

27 '2 
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4911 



ADDITIONAL CORRECTIONS. 



TuK delay in the publication of this work has given the author an opportunity 
lo add to the corrections which will be found at the end of the volume. 

rage 13th, I7th line from bottom, after date, biKcrt (May 21, IG'77.) 

Page !".>, '2d line from top, /or country, read county. 

Page 2C, 6th line from top, /or 1073, read 167'2. 

Page 43, 3d line from bottom, after lG8(J-7, crai^e tlie period and innert a comma. 

Page 80th, 4th line from bottom, erane the sentence beginning with "It will he 
noticed." 

Page 191, 5th line from top — This John died an infant. A .second John Stanley 
(baptized May 25, 1682,) ni. Aug. 1710, Hannah, daughter of Dca. Samuel Porter, 
and Dec. 9, 1714, Mary Wright. He was made a bachelor proprietor in 1715, 
(see p. 120,) and died Sep. 8, 1748, having had three children. 

Page 191, 24th line from top — The Thomas Stanley who m. Anne Peck was not 
the son of Lieut. John of Waterbury, but of Capt. John Stanley of Fannington, 
and died April 14, 1713. It was his widow Anne, and not he, who d. May 23, 1718. 
(Sec p. 189.) 

Page 239, 13th line from bottom, /or school and, read school land. 

Page 326, add to the list of those engaged in the old French war, the name of 
Moses Cook, drunnncr. 

Page 421, 2d and 3d lines from top, /or Wealthy U. Upson, read Mrs. Wealthy 
Hopkins Norton, (whose maiden name was Upson.) 

Page 462, 20th line from top, /or 1st, Ruth Frisbie, 2d, Olive Warner, read 1st, 
Olive Warner, 2d, Ruth Frisbie. 

Page 486, last line, for David, read Daniel. 

Page 487, 15th line from top, /or Charles, rea<7 William. 

Page 490, 6th line from bottom, erase Benjamin and insert Alma, m. Eli Curtis ; 
IV. Anna Maria; V. Philomela; VI. Benjamin. Other children d. in childhood. 



CONTENTS, 



CHAPTER I. 
Discovert of the Naugathck Valley : Preparations for a Settlement, . . 1 

CHAPTER II. 
The Settlement begun : Town Center, 12 

CHAPTER III. 
Delinquent Subscribers, 24 

CHAPTER IV. 
Subscribers who finally secured their Rights, 31 

CHAPTER V. 
The Common Fence and Common Field, ,47 

CHAPTER VI. 

Indian Purchases : Incorporation of the Town: Sequestered Lands,. .. . 62 

CHAPTER VII. 
Mills, 79 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Roads, Bridges, &c., 93 

CHAPTER IX. 

Indian "Wars : the Great Flood : the Great Sickness 101 

CHAPTER X. 
Bachelor Proprietors, 113 

CHAPTER XI. 

1 Personal Notices of the first Settlers of Waterbury, 129 



Vlll CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XII. 
Personal Notices of the first Settlers, continued, 16*7 



CHAPTER XIII. 
Ecclesiastical Affairs : Mr. Peck's Ministry, 202 



CHAPTER XIY. 
Ecclesiastical Affairs : Mr. Southmayd's Ministry, 215 



CHAPTER XV. 
Schools, 234 



CHAPTER XVI. 
Population increases : Immigration, 243 



CHAPTER XVII. 

The Settlement extends : new Societies, 250 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
Mr. Leavenworth's Ministry : the third Meeting House, 283 



CHAPTER XIX. 
Episcopacy in Waterbury, 292 



CHAPTER XX. 
Church and State : old French War, , 315 



CHAPTER XXI. 
Revolutionary History, 329 



CHAPTER XXII. 
After the "War : Miscellaneous Items, 361 



APPENDIX. 

I. Biography, 370 

II. Genealogy, 458 

III. Later Ecclesiastical Societies : Manufacturing : Statistics, 553 




'€0^ 



HISTORY OF ¥ATERBURY. 



CHAPTER L 



DISCOVERY OF THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY : PREPARATIONS FOR A 
SETTLEMENT. 

MoEE than a century and a quarter intervened between the 
discovery of America and the settlement by Europeans of any 
part of Kew England. In 1620, a small band of English 
Puritans, one hundred and one in number, including women 
and children, planted themselves at Plymouth, on the eastern 
shore of Massachusetts. For a long time, this feeble colony 
struggled for existence. At length, however, the English set- 
tlers became firmly established at Plymouth and the Massa- 
chusetts Bay. In the course of the years 1634 and 1635, sev- 
eral parties from Watertown, Dorchester and Kewtown, (now 
Cambridge,) in the neighborhood of Boston, made their way 
through the wilderness to the banks of the Connecticut River, 
and established themselves at Wethersfield, Windsor and 
Hartford. Mr. Hooker and his congregation of sixty persons 

1 



2 HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 

came from Newtown and settled in Hartford. Tliese towns, in 
their early infancy, in 1637, waged a successful war with the 
Pequot Indians, and conquered their country. Soon after the 
conclusion of this war, or in 1638, a small colony went from 
Boston, and settled at New Haven, Milford and Guilford, 
From 1637 to 1675, thirty-eight years, the inhabitants of Con- 
necticut, and indeed of all New England, enjoyed almost unin- 
terrupted peace. During this period of comparative quietness, 
the settlements in Connecticut were extended through the 
State, from north to south, on both banks of the Connecticut 
River, and from east to west in all the towns bordering on the 
sea-coast. In 1 610, the people of Hartford commenced a set- 
tlement at Farmington, being the first made in Connecticut 
away from navigable waters. From this time to 1673, small 
beginnings of settlements were made at Norwich, Derby, 
Wallingford, Simsbnry, Woodbury and Plainfield. Up to 
the last named date, with the above exceptions, the whole 
State, as now constituted, was a wilderness, in the possession of 
the native Indians. It is believed, however, that no Indian 
settlement existed, at the time of its discovery, within the 
limits of ancient Waterbury. The nearest wigwams were in 
Farmington, Derby and Woodbury, where native tribes exist- 
ed. The territory of Waterbury was claimed by the tribes 
of the two foi'mer towns. It was used as a hunting ground. 
It was first visited by white men in the pursuit of game. 

It appears that as early as 1657, some of the inhabitants of 
Farmington had become acquainted with a portion of the 
Naugatuck Yalley, and obtained from some of the native 
claimants, belonging to the Tunxisor Farmington tribe, a deed 
of a tract of land which secured to themselves certain rights 
and privileges therein mentioned. The deed, which is copied 
from the Farmington record, runs as follows : 

This Witnesseth that Wee Kepaquamp and Querrimus and Mataueage have 
HOiild to William Lewis and Samuell Steele of ffarmington A psell or A trackt of 
Land called matetaeoke that is to Say the hill from whence John Standley and 
John Andrews: brought the black lead and all the Land within eight: mylle: of 
that hill: on every side: to dig: and carry away what they will and To build on 
yt for ye Vse of them that Labor there: and not otherwise To improve: y« 
Land In witnes whereof wee: have hereunto set our: hands: and those: Indi- 



HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 6 

ans above mentioned must free the purchasers from all Claymes: by any other 
Indyans: 

William Lewis 

Witnes John Steel Samukl Steele 

febuary: ye S"* 1657 



The marke -^ of Kepaquamp: 



The mark ^-^of Querrimus 




The mark of -^ ^^^ } \ Mataneage 



The above deed is copied into Mr. Woodruff's sketch of the 
town of Litchfield, published in 1845. Mr. W. makes the fol- 
loMdng remarks : " Precisely where the hill referred to in this 
deed was situated, I have been unable to discover, but from 
the subsequent claims of the grantees, from tradition, and from 
the deed itself, it would seem that it was in the southern part 
of Ilarwinton, and embraced that town, and also some portion 
of Plymouth (then Mattatuck or Waterbury) and Litchfield. 
This purchase was made by the grantees in behalf of them- 
selves and a company composed of certain inhabitants of 
Farmington." It doubtless proved valueless for the purposes 
for which it was obtained, as we hear nothing further concern- 
ing the black lead. 

Another deed, bearing date the 11th day of August, 1718, 
from Petthuzso and Toxcrunuck, successors of the grantors, 
conveyed to the Farmington people the whole title to the 
above lands. The two deeds were the ground of a claim on 
the part of the grantees to the lands described ; but it was 
truly said that the territory north of "Waterbury and west of 
Farmington had been conveyed by the Colony in Jan., 1686, to 



4 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

the towns of Hartford and Windsor. Besides, there seems to 
have been a colonial statute in operation, in 1718, and previ- 
ously, declaring that " no person or persons in this colony, 
whether inhabitants or not, shall buy, hire or receive a gift, or 
mortgage any parcel of Land or Lands, of any Lidian or Indi- 
ans for the future, except he or they do buy or receive the 
same for the use of the Colony, or for some plantation or vil- 
lage, or with the allowance of the General Court of this Col- 
ony," Nevertheless, the Farmington company, in 1718, re- 
ceived from the towns of Hartford and Windsor a grant of 
one sixth of the township of Litclifield, in consideration of their 
making over to said towns their interest in the disputed terri- 
tory. 

In process of time, certain hunters or explorers from Farm- 
ington, in their excursions into the western forests, discovered 
the flats or interval on the Naugatuck Eiver, where tlie city 
of Waterbury now stands. They told their friends what they 
had seen. So favorable was their report, and such the disposi- 
tion of the early settlers to push out further into the forest, 
that they began at once to think of emigration. But at that 
period, according to the laws of the Colony, no person could 
acquire a title to Indian lands, or make a settlement upon them 
without the permission of the General Court. Having there- 
fore sent out from among themselves a committee to view the 
place for a new plantation, and obtained from them a favorable 
report, the Farmington people petitioned the " honered gen- 
eral court " for liberty to make a settlement. This was in the 
fall of 1673. The following is the petition referred to, preced- 
ed by the report of the committee spoken of : — 

We whos names are here under writen partly for our own satisfaction and 
for the satisfaction of some others haue bene too uieu matitacoocke in refarans 
to a plantation doo Judge it capable of the same, 
thomas newel! Sean"" 
John Warner Scan"' 
Richard Semar 
Octtober: the 6: 1673 

Octob-- 9, 73 
To the honerd generall court now siting In Hartford 

Honered gentlemen and fathers we being sensible of our great need of a comfort- 
able Subsistence doe hereby make our address to your selfs In order to the Same 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

Not Questioning your care and faithfulness In y« premisses: allso hoping of your 
freeness and readyness to accomidate your poor suplicants with y' which we 
Judge to be: In 3'our hands: acording to an orderly proceeding we therefore 
whose names are hereafter Inserted to humbly petitiom your honors to take cog- 
nicance: of our state who want Land to Labor vpon: for our subsistance & now 
hauing found out a track at a place called by y« Indians matitacoocke: which we 
aprihend may susfetiently acomidate to make a small plantation : we are therefore 
bould hereby to petetion your honors to grant vs y« liberty of planting y® same 
with as many others as y* may be: capable comfortably to entertain and as for the 
purchasing of y^ natives with your alowance we shall take care of: & so not to 
trouble with father Inlargements * * * * only desireing your due consideration 
& a return by our Louing ffreind John Lankton 

Thomas Newell Daniell waner 

John Lankton abraham andrews 

John andrews Thomas hancox 

John warner seinco' John Carrington 

Daniell porter Daniell andrews 

Edmund scott Joseph hancox 

John Standly Junior Thomas standly 

Abraham brounson Obadiah richarda 

Richard semer: Timothy standly 

John waner Junior william higgenson 

Isack brounson John porter 

Samuell hacox Thomas barnes 

John welton John Woodruff 

[State Records — Towns and Lands, Vol. I, p. 162.] 

Here is the action upon this petition : 

Oct. 1673 
In answer to the petition of Seueral of the Inhabitants of the Town of Farm- 
ington that Mattatock that those lands might be granted for a plantation. This 
Court haue Seen cause to order that those lands may be viewed sometime between 
this and the Court in may next and that reporte be made to the Court in may 
next whether it be Judged fitt to make a plantation. The committee appointed 
are Lnt; Tho: Bull, Lnt: Rob' webster and Daniel pratt. 

[Nicholas Olmsted was afterwards substituted for Daniel Pratt, as a member of 
the Committee.] 

April 6, 7, 8, 9, 1674. 

"We whose names are underwritten (according to the desire and appointment of 
y« honoured court) haue ueiewed y« lands upon Mattatuck riuer in order to a 
plantation, we do apprehend that there is about six hundred acres of meadow & 
plowing land lying on both sides of y® riuer besides upland conuenient for a towne 
plot, with a suitable out let into y« woods on ye west of y* riuer, and good feed- 
ing lands for cattell. 



6 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

The meadow & plowing land above written a considerable part of it lyeth in two 
peices near }•» town plot, ye rest in smaller parcels, y* farthest of which we 
iudge not aboue fower miles from y* towne plot ; and our apprehensions are that 
it may accommodate thirty faniilyes 

Thomas Bull 
NiCHo: Olmstead 
Robert webster 

Tlie " two pieces near y^ town plot " alluded in the above 
report, are probably the level river lands on the east side of 
the river afterwards called Manhan, or Malian, Meadow, near 
which a final settlement was afterwards made, and the tract of 
meadow on tlie west side of the river near the mouth of Steel's 
Brook. The most distant piece " not above fower miles " was 
most likely the tract which at a later period was called Judd's 
meadow, now a part of Naugatuck, These natural meadows 
were looked upon w^ith much favor by the early settlers, and 
were regarded not only as convenient but necessary to the ex- 
istence of a new plantation. On them they depended for fod- 
der for their " cattell " during the long and severe winters. 
Artificial meadows are prepared with difiiculty and require 
much toil and time. They absorb capital, and appear only in 
the more advanced stages of society. 

The foregoing report of the committee showed the reason- 
ableness of the request of the " supplicants." The petition 
was granted, " and the Court appointed Major John Talcott, 
Lieut. Robert Webster, Lieut. Nicholas Olmstead, Ens. Samuel 
Steel, Ensign John "Wadsworth, a committee to regulate and 
order the settling of a plantation at Mattatuck." This com- 
mittee was composed of men of note, who bore honorable 
names, well known in the history of the Colony. Their titles 
attest the high consideration with which they were regarded. 

Major Talcott of Hartford was one of his majesty's justices 
of the peace, and assistant from 1662 to 1688, and treasurer 
of the Colony for nineteen years. He was distinguished for 
his gallantry and success in King Philip's war, in 1676. He 
commanded a body of five hundred and fifty English and 
Mohegans in several successful expeditions in that year. He 
died, leaving children, July 23d, 1688. The inventory of his 
estate amounted to £2,272. 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBURY. 7 

Lieut. Webster of Middletown and Hartford was a son of 
Gov. John Webster, and married a sister of Gov. Treat, by 
wbom lie had many sons and daughters. He was a respecta- 
ble man, though not distinguished like his father. He died in 
1676, making his widow, Susannah, executrix of his wilL His 
son Jonathan married a sister of John Hopkins, an early settler 
of Mattatuck. 

Lieut. Olmstead of Hartford was a son of James Olmstead, 
(who died in 1640,) and married a daughter of Joseph Looniis 
of Windsor. He was a Pequot soldier and apparantly a wild 
youth. Li 1610, for his moral delinquencies, he was " ad- 
judged" by "the PHicular Court" "to pay twenty pownd fyne 
to the country and to stand vppon the Pillery at Hartford 
the next lecture day, during the time of the lecture. He is to 
be sett on, a lytle before the beginning and to stay thereon a 
litle after the end." He was a deputy in 16Y2, and in active 
service, as a lieutenant, in King Philip's war. He died in 
1684, and was the father of several sons and daughters. 

Ens. Samuel Steele was the son of John Steele, an early 
settler of Hartford and a prominent man. He was born in 1626, 
and, together with his father, removed to Farmington at an early 
date, and became one of the original settlers of that town. He 
married Mary Boosy and had many children; Mary, Rachel, 
Sarah, Samuel, John, Benoni, James, Hannah, Ebenezer. In 
May, 1669, he was a deputy to the General Court in Hartford ; 
and in 1674, was approved as lieutenant of the Farmington 
" Traine Band." Late in life, he removed to Wethersfield, and 
died in 1685. He appears to have been a respectable but not 
a distinguished man. As a member of the committee, he was 
one of the most active, and was connected by marriage with 
soijie of the leading planters of Mattatuck. His sister Mary 
married Serg. William Judd,and his sister Sarah, Lieut. Thomas 
Judd ; while his brother John married a sister of the Judds. 
He is the only one of the committee who has left his name in 
the territory he assisted to plant, and connected it indissolubly 
with its physical features. Steel's Brook and the tracts of land 
upon its borders. Steel's Meadow and Steel's Plain, will pre- 
serve the memory of Samuel Steele. 



8 HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 

Ensign John Wadswortli of Farmington, was a son of Wil- 
liam "Wadsworth of Hartford, and brother, I believe, of the 
famous Captain JosejDli AVadsworth, of charter-oak memory. 
He was an assistant from 3679 to his death in 1689. Some of 
his descendants have been distinguished. 

The business of this committee was " to regulate and order," 
in the language of the record, the affairs of the plantation ; to 
make rules for the planters and prescribe the conditions of set- 
tlement ; to select a site for the town ; to lay out the house lots 
and to dispose of them and of the other lands, so far as expe- 
dient, by grant ; to direct concerning highways and fences ; to 
consult with the people, and to watch over their best interests. 
They were expected to see to it that education, virtue and re- 
ligion were properly cared for in the infancy of the settlement, 
and to act with authority, when the emergency and the 
common weal required it. They were selected as the tem- 
porary guardians and the fathers of the plantation, with all 
the power usually exercised by the town authorities. In fact, 
they were to found a town ; to organize it, and to supply it 
with locomotive force, until it got legs of its own. This done, 
their duties were ended, and their trust could be resigned. 

The assembly's committee, (called on the town records 
the Grand Committee,) thus constituted, in pursuance of their 
duties, drew up the following Articles of Association and 
Agreement, which the proposed settlers signed : — 

Articles agred vpon and concluded bj us whos names are vnder wiiten the 
Comity for settling a plantation att mattatucke as followeth that 

1 Euery on[e] that is excepted for an inhabitant at matatucke shall have eight 
acres for a hous lott 

2 We agre that the distribution of medow shall be proportioned to each 
person Acording to estats [propriety] noe person exceding a hundred pound alot 
ment except too or thre alotments which we the Comite shall lay out acording to 
our best discrestion 

3 Also wee agree that all taxes and Ratts that shall be leuyed for defraying pub- 
lick charges shall be payed proportion ably acording to their medow alotments and 
this article to stand in full fore and vertue fine years next folowing the datt here- 
of and after the end and expiration of fiue yers all Ratts for defraying publike 
charges shall be leuyed and raised upon persons and estats acording to the law or 
custom of the coutry 

4 We deterrain that every parson that tacks up alotments att mattatucke within 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 



four yer after the datt hereof shall build agood substan shall Dwelling house [at 
least eighteen feet in length and sixteen feet wide and]* nine foot between joynts 
with a good chiraly in the forsaid place. 

5 Itt is agred in case any parson shall faile of building as aforsaid: a dweling house 
upon bis lott as is inioyned within the 4th article within the terme of four yers 
after the date berof shall forfit all his alotments att mattatucke and lose all his 
right and title therein buildings only Excepted to be dis posed to such: other 
meet parsons for im proue ment as shall be excepted by the Comity acording to 
the conditions of these Articles 

6 And itt is also agreed that euery one to whom alotments are granted shall par- 
sonly tack up his resedeuc as an in habitant att mattatuck in his own house within 
the term of four yeres after the date hereof and upon failler or defalte shall forfitt 
his lands and alottments att mattatuck to be improued as aforsaid by the comite 

7 Itt is further concluded that Every parson that shall be posesed of lands att the 
said mattatock shall inhabit and dwell ther in his own House for the time and 
term of four yers after he hath built acording to the Tenu"- and true meaning of 
the fourth Article and untill the said foure yers be ended no parson shall haue 
pouer to mack any alynation or sale of the afor said lands of what he or they are 
posesed of 

8 Finaly itt is determined that all those parsons to whom alottments Are granted 
(by vs the comity) shall be ingaged to the forgoing Articles by a subscription of 
their names or marcks 

And for a full confirmation of the forgoing articles wee the comitie haue this 
thir tyeth of may in the yere one thousand six hundred seuenty and four: sub- 
scribed our names 



We whos names are under writen doe Igag a 
faithful submission to and performance of the 
forgoing articles as wittness our hands this sixt 
of June in the yer 1674 


John Talcott 
Robert webster 
- Nicholas ohnsted 
Samuel steel 
John wadsworth 


John Langhton 
John Audres 






100 
100 


Thomas Hankox 
William Judd 


100 
100 


Thomas Juddl Ju'' 






100 


John Warner Jun 


90 


Edmun Scoot 






100 


Thomas Richarson 


50 


John wilton 






080 


William Higason 


70 


Abraham Andrus 






080 


John Carington 


060 


Isaac Brunson 






090 


Obadiah Richards 


080 


John Stanly Ju"" 
Samuell hicok 






100 

085 


Thomas Newell [for] son 
Sargt John Stanly for son 


100 
95 


Richard Seamor 






100 


Daniel Warner 


60 


Abraham Brounson 






080 


John warner sen 


100 


Isaac brounson ingageth for him 




John Judd 


100 


John Porter 






080 


Joseph Hecoks 


060 


* The clause in brackets is 


pres 


jmed 


to have been inadvertei 


itly left out in the record. ] 



have supplied the omission from other copies. 



Joh bronson Ju' 


080 


Thomas Gridly 


080 


Danill Porter for son 


090 



10 IIISTOKY OF WATEKBUEY. 

Thomas Jud seno'' for his ) 

sonSamii \ 080 

Sam' 1 Gridly 90, th newell* 

Soon after the signing of the articles of settlement, a new 
and more thorough exploration of the country was made, Avith 
a view of finding out its capabilities and deciding on a place 
for the center of the town. In the meantime, however, the 
committee took the precaution to extinguish any title to the 
land w^hich was in the native or Indian proprietors. " Per 
order and in the name and behalf of the Genaral Court of 
Connecticut in New England," they purchased of certain In- 
dians, eleven in number, living in Farmington and belonging 
to the Tunxis tribe, (and took to themselves a deed of the 
same,) a certain tract of land at Mattatuck, lying on both 
sides of the Naugatuck River, ten miles in length from north 
to south, and six miles in breadth from east to west, but- 
ting east on Farmington bounds, south on Pegasset, (Derby,) 
west on Pegasset, Pomperaug, (Woodbury,) and Potatuck, 
(Southbury,) and north on the Avilderness. The consideration 
Avas thirty-eight pounds in hand, and " divers good causes," 
and the deed bore date Aug. 21st, 1674. It may be found in 
the second volume of the Waterbury Land Records, page 224, 
and is signed (by marks) by Caraachaquo, James, Putteko, 
Atumtacko, Alwaash, Spinning Squaw, Nosaheagon, John 
Compound, Queramousk, Cliere, Aupkt, The witnesses are 
Samuel Willis, Benjamin Fenn and Philip Lewis. 

During the same season, a site was selected for the contem- 
plated village. It was the elevated ground on the west side 
the river, which, from this circumstance, has ever since been 
known by the name of Old Town Plat, or Town Plot. It 
was airy and showy ground, overlooking the alluvial lands 
upon the river. Here, three quarters of a mile west of the 

* Thomas Newell, Jr., was afterwards substituted for Samuel Gridley, and the name is placed 
here in the original. 

This document is taken from the second volume of the Waterbury Land Records, pages 221 
and 222. It is in the hand of John Stanly, copied professedly from the original by direction of 
the proprietors, (in 1T17,) after he removed from M'aterbury, and certified by John Judd, then 
the town clerk. There are several copies of this paper to be found in the early volumes of the 
Town and Proprietor's Records, differing from one another in several (for the most part) unim- 
portant particulars. I have selected that which was fullest and seemingly most complete and 
authentic. 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 11 

present city, the roads were laid out, tlieoiie running north and 
south, sixteen rods wide.* This was cut in the middle, by an 
east and west road, running down towards the river, south of 
Sled Hall Brook, eight rods wide. There was another cross- 
road at the south end, probably near the present highway over 
the hill from the south bridge. The home lots, eight acres in 
each, according to the articles of settlement, were ranged 
along the north and south street, thirty-two in uumber, sixteen 
on each side, the east and west road already referred to, divid- 
ing each " teer " in the middle, leaving eight lots on either 
hand. 

So much was done in the summer and fall of 1674, towards 
the settlement of Mattatuck, but it does not appear that any 
dwellings were erected. For some cause, not fully nnderstood, 
the progress of the enterprise was suspended at this point. 
Perhaps the country, on a closer examination, did not prove so 
attractive as it had been represented. In the following year, 
however, there were new and obvious reasons for not pushing 
forward the enterprise. A more serious and pressing business 
presented itself, demanding attention. 

Early in the summer of 1675, the great Indian "War of ISTew 
England, commonly called King Philip's War, broke out. 
Connecticut, though not itself attacked, entered with spirit 
into the struggle. Her sons left their husbandry and follow^ed 
Treat and Talcottto the scene of danger. All thoughts of new 
settlements were abandoned and many of those recently com- 
menced were broken up. For the present, the policy of the 
colonies was to concentrate themselves that their defense might 
be less difficult. It was a fierce and bloody war, in which 
the parties aimed at extermination. It was more destructive 
to the lives, property and immediate prospects of the country, 
than any which has taken place since. The whole weight of 
it fell upon New England, then containing about forty thou- 



* Afterwards, or January 15, 1677, old style, when a new site had been selected and approved 
for the town, the committee passed a new order respecting this road, as follows : — " we order the 
highway of sixteen rods wide that is already layed out north and south through the old town 
platt to be butt two rods wide and grant that the propriators of ecth side the said highway to 
butt upon the new highway for enlargement of their Iota proportionally." 



12 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

sand people, (Connecticut perhaps ten tlionsand,) widely dis- 
persed in small settlements, and destitute of almost everything 
but stout hearts and a trust in Heaven. It was brought to a 
successful termination, without any assistance from the mother 
country, or the neighboring colonies, in the latter part of 1676, 
by the death of King Philip, an able, and, in many respects, a 
wise chief. 

Who among those who subsequently became the planters of 
Mattatuck Avere personally engaged in the war against King 
Philip and his confederates, I am unable to say. I find, 
however, the following: 

A meeting of the Councill in Hartford Dec. 5, 1676. 

The Councill granted John Brunson of Farmington the sume of fine pounds, 
as a reparation for his wounds and damage rec<*. thereby, and quarteridg and half 
pay to the first of this present moneth. [Col. Ree. II, p. 483.] 

There were, at tliis time, three persons bearing the name of 
John Bronson living in Farmington, John, John the son of 
John, and John, Jr., the son of Richard. Probably the ex- 
tract refers to John, the son of John, who went to Waterbury, 
and the reward was for injuries received in the war just closed. 
His father, though an old Pequot soldier, was now doubtless 
too old for active service. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE SETTLEMENT BEGUN: TOWN CENTER. 

In the spring of 1677, the tranquillity of the colony being 
secured, the Farmington people began once more to think of 
making a settlement at Mattatuck. They were, however, dis- 
satisfied with the place selected for a village site. Though 
attractive from its sightliness and probable healthfulness, a 
closer examination brought to light disadvantages and objec- 



HISTOKY OF WATERBUEY. 13 

tions of a decisive character. The many broad acres which it 
allowed for each man's home lot were hardly a recompense for 
its rocky surface and moderate productiveness. It was of diffi- 
cult access from the east. It could be reached from the river 
lands (from which, in an important degree, subsistence was 
expected to be drawn) only by a long and steep ascent. Be- 
sides, a settlement upon the west side of the river would be 
liable, from the frequent floods which covered the flats, to have 
its communication with Farmington cut off*. For the present, 
Farmington alone would connect the people with the civili- 
zation of the day, whence, for a time, must be obtained many 
of the necessities and all the comforts of life. There lived 
their friends, and there they would look for refuge, or succor, 
in case of a hostile attack from the Indians. There, too, for a 
time, they must resort for the regular ministrations and ordi- 
nances of the Gospel. 

In pursuance of a plan entertained by those most interested 
of changing the town center, a meeting of the proprietors was 
held and a committee appointed " to vew and consider whether 
It will not be for the benefit," &c. This is the first meeting of 
the ancient proprietors of Waterbury, of which we have any 
account. I infer, from the date, that it was held in Farming- 
ton, though the j^lace is not mentioned. The vote passed at 
this meeting is recorded, and the record seems to be original. 
It is the oldest, by several years, of the Waterbury Records. 
The recorder is, apparently, the " John Standly, Jr.," who sub- 
scribed the articles of settlement, though his name does not 
appear — the same person who subsequently, for many years, 
is known as the clerk of the proprietors and the town. The 
vote is written in a business-like hand, somewhat brisker than 
that which characterized the clerk's performances at a later day. 
The record book is an old, dingy manuscrij)t, of foolscap size, 
which I dug out of a mass of forgotten rubbish, found in a 
private family. The sheets are sowed through and through, 
in the middle, by a cord of unnecessary strength, and the 
whole is covered by coarse, brown paper turned over at the 
edge, with a broad margin and made fast with a thread. 
Many leaves are gone at the beginning and end, and those 



14 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

which are left, are rent and broken and exceeduigly brittle 
when handled. Fifty four pages only remain. This is the 
first original Proprietor's Book, now in existence. Much of 
its contents has been copied, by successive clerks, into more 
recent books. The same has been done with the other earliest 
records, and the originals afterwards scattered and lost. 
Care has been taken by transcribing to preserve the evidences 
of property, particularly land titles ; but other matters have 
been regarded as of little account. 

The following is the vote referred to in the preceding para- 
graph :— 

At a metting held by the proprietors of mattatucke may the twenty first, 1677, 
upon furder Considaration of some difeculty that doth atende them seting the towne 
whare It is now laid out theay made chois of deacon Judd, John Langhton sen"' 
John andrus sean'' goodman Rote and John Judd and danell porter as a comite 
to vew & Consider whether It will not be more for the benefit of the propriators 
In General: to set the towne on this east side of the River contenting themselfes 
with les hom lots prouided: those formerly laide out be secured to them: prouided 
also they thinke & conclude It so to be to aduis with the grande Comite and in 
conjunction with them they jine with liberty so so doe we the proprietors agre to 
act Acordingly not withstanding what Is alredy done. 

As the result of these movements, favored by the reason- 
ableness of the thing itself, the Court's committee changed 
tlie town center to the place where it now is, the planters 
" contenting themselfes with les home lots." The latter seem- 
ed disposed to settle as near as possible to the lands from which 
they expected to draw their chief sustenance. In consequence 
of this anxiety, they jeoparded health to some extent. They 
erected their dwellings, in many instances, upon ground which 
was wholly unfit for building purposes. Just at the center of 
the village, the land was low and wet, and in some instances, 
marshy, and covered with standing water. Even within the 
writers's memory, the road was made solid by logs, laid in 
" corduroy " fashion, and cows that got off the traveled path 
sunk deep and helplessly in the yielding mire. As the conse- 
quence of its low situation, the ancient town Avas often envel- 
oped in fogs, as the young city now is. A part of the sickness 
and mortality among the early planters, may, perhaps, be attrib- 
uted to damp dwellings and an unhealthy locality. Against 



HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 15 

the evils of these, they could provide but a slight defense, on 
account of their straitened circumstances. 

Oar fathers, looking to agriculture for support, did not select 
the most eligible part of the Kaugatuck Valley for a settlement. 
Indeed they could hardly have fared vrorse, within the limits 
of their future township. Had they gone up or down the river, 
and planted themselves in what is now Plymouth, or Nauga- 
tuck, they would have found better land, and have been 
in the former case no farther removed from their friends in 
Farmington. It is true, they would not have had, perhaps, as 
liberal a supply of meadow lands, ready cleared and prepared 
for tillage ; but these proved, in the end, an unsafe depend- 
ence. Had they crossed the river and established themselves 
in present Watertown, they would have found a good soil of 
superior agricultural capacity, for this part of the State. Mid- 
dlebury, too, that part of it embraced within the limits of the 
ancient town, though rough, has much strong land. But there 
was an objection to a locality so far west, with the Naugatuck* 
flowing between the settlers and the parent town, which has 
already been alluded to. 

On the tenth day of September, 16T7, the committee, being 
the grantees named in the deed from the Indians conveying 
the lands of Mattatuck, made over all their title and interest 
in tlie same to the proprietors of Mattatuck. By this act, how- 
ever, they did not part with any of their authority in the man- 
agement of the settlement. This is the assignment, signed 
by John Talcott, only : — 

The aboue writen deed of sale we the said John talcot Nicholas olmsted and 
Samuel Steel do this tenth of September in the year 1677 asign and mack oner all 
our Right and tittle therein and thereunto vnto Thomas Judd John Stanly Samuell 
hickoks and Abraham brunson inhabitants of mattatuck to thcmselus heirs and 
asigns for euer and to the rest of the inhabitants belonging to the said mattatuck 
for them selves and their heirs and asigns for ever as wittness our hands the said 
inhabitants having payd the purches to our order the purchesers 

Lieut Webster being dead before our Asign 

Signed and delivered by us John Talcott 



* Naugatuck — in the Indian language, J^auk'otunk, one large tree — is said to have been the 
original name of Humphreysville, (Seymour;) so called from a large tree which formerly stood 
near Rock Riraraon at Seymour. (Barber's Con. Hist. Col.) 



16 HISTOEY OF WATEEBUKY. 

Soon after this assignment, or in October next following, 
the committee in the exercise of their appropriate functions, 
" ordered " that the inhabitants of the new plantation " shonld 
settle near together for benefit of Christian duties and defense 
against enemies." They also modified at a little later date, 
some of the conditions of settlement, in consequence of the un- 
expected delay which had taken place in the movement of 
the emigrants. I quote, the date being Jan. 15th, 1677,(1678, 
new style) :* 

We doe allso alow the propriators of mattatuck one yere for settleing them 
selues on [in] the aforesaid mattatuck more than was first granted: not withstand 
ing any thing to the contrary and all publick charges to be borne one yer longer 
or more than is concluded in the third article datted may 30*'' 1677 

From various circumstances, it w^ould seem that the first 
settlers came to this place some time in the summer of 1677, 
but at what precise date, I have been unable to ascertain. At 
any rate they were here on the tenth of September, as appears 
by the assignment of the Indian deed to certain persons, " in- 
habitants of Mattatuck." They came without their families, and 
erected some rude huts, for temporary shelter, on the banks of 
the river, near Sled Hall, so called. Having put in their winter 
crops, and made some preparations for the ensuing spring, most 
of them probably returned to Farmington, as the cold weather 
came on. In the sj)ring following, some of the proprietors remov- 
ed their families to their new-found homes, and went to work. 
And serious work they had to do. But they were inured to 
it. Their hands were hardened by toil, and their hearts made 

* The old year began March 25th. Between 16S5 and 1690, the subject was first agitated of 
making a change, and commencing the year Jan. 1st. During this interval, some used old 
style and others new style. After 1690, the custom obtained, when giving a date from Jan. 1st 
to March 25th, of adding the new year to the old, in the form of a double date. Thus Feb. 5, 
ITIO, old style, (which would be Feb. 5,.l711, new style,) was written Feb. 5, 17]?. The custom, 
however, was not entirely uniform. Some began the year on the 1st of March, and on (and 
after) that day employed the new style. Our clerks were very careless, following no certain 
rule. Mr. Southmayd sometimes uses the double date, sometimes old style and sometimes 
new style. More usually, he employs new style for dates occurring any time in March. On the 
14th day of March, 1752, it was enacted by Parliament that the year should commence on 
the 1st day of January. By the same act, eleven days were struck out of the month, and the 
third was called the fourteenth, to correct an error arising from the " procession of the equi- 
noxes." In this work, when referring to specific dates, I shall observe the custom of the eras 
concerning which I write, making at the time such explanation as may be necessary. 



Village of 

MATTATUCK. 



//tosr U'Auxe na/ne'>' lire i/( /xtrettf/irse,'^' netr 
iio< ori(/ina7'/>ntpnefor.s. 
'/7i<rofirls wicA ti/r //UirArf/ 6v dnftnl /airs 
H'e/r not orit/irKt/ . 




_ HISTORY OF WATERBURY. lY 

"brave by successful encounter with difficulty and danger. 
They were neither drones nor cowards. They were tough men, 
and had come into a tough country — a country which, for easy 
tillage, was in striking contrast with the plains of Farmington. 
Though prepared for unceasing toil and much sacritice, they 
probably did not expect the prolonged hardship, the great dis- 
couragements, and fearful calamities which kept the popula- 
tion of the colony stationary for more than thirty years. 

In the course of the summer of 1678, a few houses were 
erected on the newly selected site for the village. They were 
constructed of logs, after the fashion of the new settlements of 
the present day, with the naked ground, or in some cases, if 
the soil was wet, or the occupants were persons of taste and 
substance, with split logs, for a floor. They were " good and 
substantial dwellings," doubtless, ("mantion houses," they 
were sometimes called,) *'at least eighteen feet in length and 
sixteen feet wide, and nine foot between joynts with a 
good chinily" of stone and clay mortar, according to the re- 
quirements of the subscribed articles; but they were riot 
what, at this day, would be called fashionahle. They might 
have been picturesque, provided the spectator stood far enough 
off. We shall be obliged to guess how they were furnished ; 
but I risk nothing in saying that they contained no tapestry 
carpeting or lace curtains. They in fact were designed for 
shelter, not ornament. According to tradition, there were, at a 
later period, forty of these rude log-houses, standing at one 
time, in the town center. 

The village streets were laid out, in the commencement, 
very nearly, in most cases, where they still are — three running 
east and west, something more than half a mile long, and three 
shorter ones running north and south, the four outside streets 
forming an irregular oblong square, the east being more than 
twice as broad as the west end. The west street on the map 
of Waterbury, published in 1852, is called Willow street ; the 
east. Mill street and Cherry street ; the north, Grove street, and 
the south, Grand street and Union street ; while the central 
streets are named, one West and East Main, and the other 
Bank, North Main and Cook streets. No new roads of much 

2 



18 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

importance have been laid outnntil about the commencement of 
the present centurj^ That part of Cook street, however, which 
lies between Main and Grove streets, previously to 1T03, 
ran farther west than at present. It must have Avound round 
between the hills w^est of Lyman "W. Coe's house, coming into 
Grove street, probably a few rods west of the present junction, 
where the Brunt Hill road (Cook above Grove) commences. 
It passed west far enough to leave a house lot of four acres, 
owned by Benjamin Warner, between the road and the 
brow of the hill just east of the Little Brook, near the house 
owned by Andrew Bryan. In the convej'ances of this four 
acre lot after it went out of the possession of Warner, it is de- 
scribed as in two pieces, the larger one butting east, and the 
smaller west, on the highway. The town action, relating to 
this new road up the Brook is seen in the following extract from 
the town record : 

January: 25"^: 1702-3 y« town with benimin worner exchanged y' highway on 
y west s"* worners hous lot next beniamin barns to let s^ worner haue y' hiway 
for a three rods highway throu his lot on y* hill sid on y« east 5*^ his lot next y® 
litle brook and s^ worner is to extend southword in y^ frunt of his lot to y® sixt 
porst of beniamin barnses fenc y' is now set and to extend northward in y* deui- 
dent loyn next barns as fur as s^ barnses lot gos and to run to his own north east 
conr not to pergedis [&c.] 

Probably when the town was planned and the highways 
staked out, there was no road contemplated in the place of that 
which runs diagonally from Mr. Coe's, past Charles D. Kings- 
bury's to the east end of Grove street ; but subsequently, and 
before long, its convenience became apparent. It is mention- 
ed in connection with the grant of George Scott's (after- 
wards Benjamin Warner's) house lot, in December, 1687, and 
referred to " as the highway that runs over the Little Brook." 
After this road was made, the thought of a new and better 
road north, up the brook, doubtless suggested itself 

The road which now runs from Bank, across South Main, 
and up Union, to the top of the hill, being a continuation of 
Grand, seems not to have existed in the early history of the 
town. This appears from the descriptions of the home lots on 
the easterly side of Bank street, which were bounded west. 



HISTOEY OF WATEEBUKY. 19 

but not north or south, on highway. South Main street, so 
called, was laid out and made as a country road, not till after 
1800 ; but there was, from an early date, a passage, called the 
Pine Hill road, from the south end of Bank street, near 
where Meadow street commences, running southeasterly in 
the general direction of Meadow street,* within the common 
fence, to the Mad River crossing, near the j)resent bridge, and 
so on to Jiidd's Meadow, (Naugatuck.) A branch from this 
passage, communicatingwith what is now Union street, and the 
corn mill, (Scovill Manufacturing Go's Rolling Mill,) extended 
northeasterly, bounding in the rear, or on the southeast, some 
of the Bank street home lots above mentioned. 

I have been unable to find (as already suggested) any refer- 
ence at an early date, to what is now Union street, from Bank 
to Elm. I have not identified it as bounding any of the home 
lots, or any grants of land. And yet, it was probably includ- 
ed in the original plan of the village. A road, or path, such 
as I have referred to in the preceding paragraph, connecting 
the corn mill with the Pine Hill road running down the river, 
was required for the convenience of the people. I obtain no 
certain knowledge of it, however, till March 13th, 1730, when 
a highway was laid out, (which has been closed within the last 
thirty years,) beginning near the top of the hill, a little west of 
Elm street, " a little below Hopkins' Plain bars, from that 
highway that runs by the common fence, to that that goes to 
Judd's Meadow," at a stake on the brow of the hill, in the 
corner of Thomas Porter's lot, running across said lot south- 
wardly fourteen rods, then seven rods, " at the bottom of the 
hill within Deacon Clark's fence, where it empties into said 
highway that goes to Judd's Meadow, two rods wide." It 
came out near Charles Bronson's house. It was to be a " pent 
road," that is, to be closed at its upper end with a gate or bars. 
Its object appears to have been to shorten the distance to the 
mill, for the southern and southwestern inhabitants. 

Probably the survey above referred to is, for the most part, 



* The passage referred to, at the time the turnpike was made, (1801,) came into the latter near 
the house of John M. Stocking, (on the map.) 



20 HISTOKY OF WATEEBUEY. 

only a resurvey of an old road — the same which has been aUud- 
edto as extending in the rear of the Bank street liome lots, bound- 
ing them on the east. Union street, within the present century, 
came into South Main from the east, farther north than now, 
at a point nearly opposite the continuation of Grand street. 

Mill street, below the old mill, which thirty years ago ran 
close to the river, down to the place occupied by the Hotchkiss 
& Merriman Manufacturing Go's Factory, did not exist at 
an early period. The lot between the mill-dam and the river 
crossing, bounded easterly on the river, in 1713. Abraham 
Andruss' house lot next the river, below the crossing, bounded 
on the river in 1687 and 1704. 

The following extract relates to that part of Mill street 
which runs from the old corn mill to East Main street, by 
George W. Welton's house : — 

Water bury March y« Q'*" 1720 we whose name are under writen ware formerly 
apointed accomety with leftenante Judd by the town of Waterbury to lay out high- 
ways to the mill in persuante thare too we laid out a high way from the Rode that 
goes to farmingtown opposite against the south easte corner of the hous lot that 
is now thomas hikcox so to the mill foure rods wide at that ende next be fore 
mentioned rode and something wider towards the mill buting east upon doctor 
porters land and west upon the land that Stephen hopkins hous now stands on 

Benjamin Barnes 

mark Comety 

Stephen 2 Ubson Sen. 
his 

From another and earlier record, it would seem that the 
above was a re-survey of an old highway, or else that the 
committee previously appointed to lay it out neglected to do 
it. A copy of the record is given below. The old road re- 
ferred to, w^hich was to be changed, bore off more to the east 
than the present one. 

Desember 8 1712 de [deacon] thomas Judd abraham andrus s' Stuen upson 
was chosen a commity to run a hi way north from the mill between John hopkins 
and doc danll porter in order to chang it for land on west sid the mill plan of s-^ 
hopkins and mak return to the town 

" The mill path," so called in the early records, now Cole 
street, which runs obliquely from East Main by Mrs. Zenas 
Cook's house (on the map) to the mill, was not apparently an 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBUEY. 21 

original street, though it existed from an early period. I find 
it first alluded to in 1694:, in connection with John Richards' 
house and house lot. 

I believe there is no early mention made of that part of 
Cherry street which runs north and south, except incidentally. 
In December, 1724, the town granted John Bronson liberty to 
run the lines by his house in a certain manner ; but he was 
" to leave a high way six rods wide against his house." His 
house (then the only one upon the street) stood just north of 
Solomon B. Miner's, (on the map.) Cherry street, at that 
point, was once much wider than now. 

The upper end of Cherry street, that portion of it which 
runs westerly across the Great Brook and terminates at North 
Main, was laid out by Daniel Southmayd, Dec. 1st, 1746, 
though doubtless it existed as a passage long before. It is 
described as " a highway at the upper end of Lt. John Bron- 
son's saw mill lot, beginning at the highway that goes by said 
Bronson's new barn, the first corner being at James Nichols' 
southeast corner, which is the first corner of the highway, 
running west twenty one rods to said Nichols' southwest 
corner, which is the northwest corner of said highway, bounded 
north on said Nichols' land, three rods wide, the bounds being 
on the north side." 

Grove street was surveyed or re-surveyed, in two parts, 
Dec. 21, 1752. The east part began at Deacon Thomas Bron- 
son's clay pit pasture, (corner of North Main and Grove streets,) 
and ran west thirty-two rods to the southwest corner of Isaac 
Nichols' Little Brook pasture, terminating at the road that 
" goes north from Obadiah Worner's barn to Robert Johnsons 
house," (Cook street continued.) It was four rods wide. The 
west part began at the highway last mentioned " at the South 
East corner of William Adams lot," and ran west one hundred 
and sixteen rods " to the highway that goes by Serg. Thomas 
Barnes house," (Willow street.) It was three rods wide. 

This highway doubtless existed from the beginning of the 
settlement. The original home-lots on West Main street were 
bounded on it on the north. 

Church street was laid out May 5th, 1S06. It ran south 
forty rods and was two rods wide. 



22 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

The following action of the grand committee related to East 
Main street. — (Joseph Gaylord lived on the north side of the 
street, on the corner of North Main.) 

Farmington November 27 1679: A meeting of the comitte for mattatuck Itt is 
determined that high way layed out by Lt. Samuell Steele att the east end of the 
town plat att mattatuck running eastward out of said town plat being thre rod 
wid shall always be and remain for publick and common vse which is between 
Joseph Gaylords lott and a hous lott reserved for such inhabitants as shall her- 
after be entertained 

I have given above all which I have been able to gather, 
concerning the old highways comprehended in the original 
plan of the town center. There is nothing on record regard- 
ing the most ancient roads as they were first laid out. What- 
ever we know is obtained from the re-surveys, incidental re- 
marks and the very imperfect memoranda, and often erroneous 
descriptions of the home lots, and the early land grants, which 
" butted " on highways. 

In Feb. 1702-3, it was ordered by the town " that the high- 
ways layd out be recorded :" but this order appears to have 
been wholly neglected till 1716. 

The home-lots of the first settlers of Mattatuck were upon 
the central streets, most of them on that running east and west, 
a few on the one running north and south. The lots on the 
outside streets, and those that were situated most distant from 
the center, were taken up at later dates, as there was occasion 
for them. They were staked out by the committee, and those 
first disposed of, distributed by lot, in the way the old town 
plot lots were designed to be, without reference to amount of 
proprietorship. They varied in size according to the desirable- 
ness of the locality, and " the make of the ground," natural 
disadvantages being compensated by additional acres. A 
majority of them contained two acres, but some had four, one 
five, and others only one and a half acres. Some eligible lots 
were reserved, and man}- outside ones, not so desirable, were 
left for future settlers. These were disposed of by grant — by 
the committee, at first, and subsequently by the proprie- 
tors. 

Around the " Green," (Centre Square,) on all sides and so 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY, 23 

west as far as the house of tlie late BennetBronson, the houses 
were numerous, the land having been all taken up and built 
upon, except a tract near the present Episcopal Church. The 
lots on the south side of the road, except one at the east end, 
aud those on the north side, except four at the east end, extend- 
ed through to the back streets. Previously to about 1700, 
there were no dwellings east of Dr. Jesse Porter's, north of 
C. D. Kingsbury's, south of a house on Bank street, marked 
on the map, " Timothy Ball," and west of the late B. Bron- 
son's. On the plan of the old town center, I have entered the 
names of the first settlers. When the block is omitted, it is to be 
understood that no house is expressly mentioned, (in some cases 
from inadvertence, probabl}- ,) as existing on the lot. 

There are no land records of Waterbury, attempting descrip- 
tion, that bear date earlier than 1687, immediately after the 
incorporation of the town. The lands granted by the Assem- 
bly's committee w^ere not recorded at the time ; and those 
which were afterwards distributed by the proprietors, in pub- 
lic meetings, are not defined, except in the most general terms. 
For instance, in 1684, the proprietors granted to Daniel Porter 
" four acers in y^ wigwam swamp as near y® loer end as may 
be so as to haue the breath [breadth] of y^ swamp." But in 
the year named, (1687,) something more was attempted. A 
record was made of each man's lots, and particularly of his 
house lot. This was made both in Hartford (on the colony 
records) and in Waterbury. The description is of the brief- 
est sort, and in the most general terms. Boundaries are given, 
and the estimated number of acres ; and whether the title was 
obtained by purchase, or special grant. If a deed had been 
taken, the date of the signing and acknowledgment is given, 
with the name of the commissioner, or justice. These record- 
ed and very brief accounts, are afterwards referred to as evi- 
dence of title. On these chiefly, I have been obliged to rely 
in my attempts to locate the early planters of Waterbury. 
They ai'e often so indefinite, so lacking in detail, so erroneous 
indeed, that it is a matter of the utmost difliculty to make 
anything out of them. Distances are very rarely given, and 
points of compass, never, except in the most general way. 



24 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

East is sometimes inadvertently used for west, and north for 
south, and vice versa. The settlers often bought and sold, and 
exchanged houses and lots, and this circumstance has increas- 
ed the difficulty of ascertaing the earliest dwelling places of 
individuals. 



i 



CHAPTER III. 



DELINQUENT SUBSCRIBERS. 



Of the thirty original subscribers to the articles of settle- 
ment, thirteen never became permanent proprietors of Water- 
bury. Their names follow : 

John Warnkr, Sen., 
Daniel Warner, 

John Andruss, 
Abraham Bronson, 
Thomas Gridley, 
John Porter, 
Richard Seymour. 

William Higason, 
Samuel Gridley, 
John Lankton, 
John Judd, 
Samuel Judd, 
William Judd. 

John Warner, Sen., and Daniel Warner, father and son, 
whose names are in the first group, both intended to join the 
planters of Mattatuck, but died when about to remove, in 1679, 
in Farmington. The place of the father seems to have been 
filled by his son, Thomas Warner ; while the death of the son 
gave rise to the following action of the committee, which con- 
ferred his rights upon his widow. 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 25 

Farmington, November 26, 1079, 
Where as Daniel Worner with his Family were upon the Remove to Mattatuck, 
And on that Juncture of time the Divine providence of God hath Removed the 
s<* Daniell out of the Land of the Land of* the Living. Out of compassion to 
his Relict & children left behind him, we do Grant the 8"^ Relict shall hold her 
AUottments Firm and Good to her self and children not with standing any thing 
Contained In any Former Article to the Contrary, only advising her Self and Re- 
latives that a Dwelling house be Erected there with all possible Speed, and that 
Shee Inhabit there or some sufficient person to manage he[r] Lands & accommo- 
dations upon the place. 

By us 

John Talcott 
John Wadsworth 
Nicholas Olmstead 
Samuel Steel 
A true Record of the Original 

Attest John Southniayd, Clerk. 

It appeared early tliat tliere were several of the original sign- 
ers of the articles who had changed their minds, and had no 
longer any intention of becoming permanent settlers of Matta- 
tnck. They made a declaration to this effect, and the com- 
mittee permitted other applicants to take their places. 
There were five of these persons who abandoned the enterprise 
at the ontset, or in the first season, 1677, before any houses 
were erected. Ko more than one of these is heard of as 
having been with the first planters of this town. Their 
names are in the second group. 

John Anclruss. Benjamin Jones was accepted as a proprie- 
tor, in his stead. The name will again be mentioned in con- 
nection with his son, Abraham, an early settler. He was one 
of the committee of the proprietors, appointed May twenty- 
first, 1677, to take into consideration the expediency of remov- 
ing the town site. 

Abraham Bronson was a younger brother of John and Isaac 
Bronson, original signers and settlers. He was one of the as- 
signees named in the assignment of the first Indian deed to 
certain persons, " inhabitants of Mattatuck." This was Sept. 
10, 1777 ; so that he would seem to have been one of the first 



* So in the Uecord. 



IIISTOKY OF WATEEBURY, 



company of planters. But lie sickened of tlie enterprise, and 
his place was filled Jan. 15, 1677-8, by John Scovill. 

Thomas Gridley, of Farmington, was a son of Thomas Grid- 
ley of Hartford and Farmington, and brother of Samuel, an- 
other signer. His name is among those of the " eighty-four 
Proprietors of Farmington," in 1673. He was born 1650, and 
died in 1742. The vacancy made by his failure was supplied 
by Joseph Gaylord, Jan. 15th, 1677-8. 

John Porter, of Farmington, was probably a son of Robert, 
a subsequent settler and proprietor. David Carpenter was 
accepted for him, Jan. 15th, 1677-8. The family will again 
be mentioned. 

Richard Seymour, of Farmington, was a son of Richard 
Seymour, of Hartford, Farmington and I^orwalk. He was 
the leader of the settlement which was made at the Great 
Swamp, (afterwards Kensington,) to which place he removed 
in 1685. He was killed by the falling of a tree in 1710. His 
wife died in 1712. His sister Mercy married John Steel, the 
father of Ensign Samuel Steel, one of the State's Committee ; 
and his sister Mary married, in 1644, Thomas Gridley, another 
signer. Benjamin Barnes was accepted in his place, Jan. 15th, 
1677, (1678, new style.) 

The six persons in the third group all had meadow allot- 
ments and divisions of the common fence assigned them, at 
diflerent times, from 1678 to 1681 ;* and from this circum- 
stance it is rendered probable that they w^ere, for a time at 
least, residents at Mattatuck, with a prospect of securing their 
proprietary rights and becoming permanent settlers. 

William Higason. His name is on the list of proprietors 
of Farmington, 1672. He was born in 1648, and had several 
children — Sarah, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary. The last, mar- 
ried Clark Carrington, a son of John, an original propri- 
etor of Waterbury. Edmund Scott, Jr., was accepted for him 
and took his allotments, about 1680. 

Samuel Gridley, a " smith " and " trader," was a son of 



* The four first divisions of fence, of which a record has been preserved, were made between 
these dates. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 27 

Thomas, and elder brother of Thomas above mentioned. He 
was born in 164T, and died 1712, having had eleven children. 
Thomas Newell, Sen. was made a proprietor in his place, prob- 
ably before 1680. 

John Lankton, or Langdon, was a deacon of the church in 
Farmington. He was one of the committee raised in May, 
1677, to inquire into the propriety of removing the town site. 
He was a son-in-law of Thomas Gridley, had several children, 
and died in 1689. His rights as proprietor of Mattatuck were 
declared forfeited, "Feb. 5*^, 1680," and were afterw^ards con- 
ferred on John Hopkins, the miller. 

John Judd and Samuel Judd, were sons of Dea. Thomas 
Judd, of Farmington, to be hereafter mentioned. They neg- 
lected to comply with the articles of settlement, and, after a 
long indulgence on the part of the committee, their allotments 
were "condemned," Feb. 6th, 1682. (1682-3.) The commit- 
tee accepted of Abraham Andruss, 2d, or Jr., in the place of 
John Judd; and at a later period, 1687, Samuel's right was 
bestowed on his brother Philip. 

William Judd was an elder brother of John and Samuel, 
above mentioned — a man of substance, of much influence 
and greatly esteemed. He was the most distinguished of the 
Judds, and promised to be the leading man among the plant- 
ers of Mattatuck He is usually called Sergeant William 
Judd, he having been confirmed sergeant of the Farmington 
train band by the County Court of Hartford, Dec. 4th, 1679. 
He was one of a committee to apportion the fence among the 
proprietors, appointed Jan. 15th, 1677-8, and was selected for 
a similar service, March 11th, 1678-9. At the same date, he 
was chosen, in company with Lieut. Steele and John Stanley, 
to lay out " the three acre lots " to the settlers, and was allow- 
ed the privilege of having his own lot laid out adjoining his 
house lot. From the nature of the duties assigned him, and 
the way he is spoken of, I conclude that he was an inhabitant 
of Mattatuck at the dates mentioned, with the intention of 
remaining ; but some how the time allowed for building, &c., 
ran out, and on complaint, he along with other delinquents, 
was declared, under date of "Feb. 5th, 1680," to have for- 
feited all his rights. Here is the action of the committee : 



28 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

In consideration of some of those persons that haue had alotments granted Att 
mattatuciv we haue heard the alygations layed in against them and doe determin 
that deacon John langton william Judd and dauid carpenter haue forfited all their 
rights and tittles to those alotments granted to them att mattatuck not hauing at- 
tended [to] those articles to which thay haue subscribed. 

Afterwards, however, William Judd's name again appears 
as a stibscriber to the articles, he obligating himself to erect a 
dwelling, and to settle in the place, with his family, within 
one year after subscription. May 18th, 1680, he was at the 
head of a committee, on the part of Mattatuck, to settle 
bounds, with Derby, and a little later, June 9th, 1680, to set- 
tle bounds with Woodbury. A second time, how^ever, he was 
a defaulter, and at length, his lands and rights of land were 
given, by the proprietors, to his son Thomas. His name dis- 
appears from the record after 1681. His house lot appears 
to have been on Willow street, a little north of the dwelling 
of the late Bennet Bronson. 

Of those who signed the articles after a settlement had 
been commenced, hve got faint hearted, or for some other 
reason, failed to secure their propriety rights. They are nam- 
ed below. All had meadow allotments and divisions of fence 
except the first. 

Thomas newell s^" 
Joseph Andruss 
David Carpenter 
Benjamin Judd 
John Root 

Thomas Newell, Sen., Avas an original settler of Farming- 
ton, and the father of John and Thomas Newell, proprietors. 
He was one of the petitioners to the General Court, in 1673, 
for liberty to plant a colony in Mattatuck ; but there is no 
evidence that he took any steps in the way of forwarding the 
enterprise after subscribing the articles. Tlie " Thomas New- 
ell " whose name appears about 1 679 as having fence assigned 
him to build, appears to have been his son, who took his place 
and became a proprietor. 

Joseph Andruss, I suppose to have been the fourth son of 
John Andruss of Farmington, another signer, and younger 
brother of Abraham Andruss, a proprietor. I know nothing 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 29 

ot liim except that he had a meadow allotment, and a divis- 
ion of fence assigned him in 1G80. 

David Carpenter, There were two persons hj this name 
in Farmington, father and son. The above is presnmed to 
have been the son. He was born in 1647, and married Han- 
nah, a daughter of Richard Bronson of Farmington. He was 
accepted as a proprietor, Jan. 15th, 1677-8, in the place of 
John Porter, but his right was not declared forfeited till Feb. 
5, 1680-1. He removed to ISTew London. 

Benjamin Judd probably subscribed the articles and joined 
the planters of Mattatuck, within the first year of the settlement. 
He was a brother of William, John and Samuel, and a son of 
Dea. Thomas Judd, of Farmington. Jan. 15th, 1677-8, he was 
appointed " to call out the proprietors in their turns to mend 
the highways." Feb. 6tli, 1680-1, he was selected by the 
committee to lay out land which was granted to the mill. At 
the same date he was allowed an addition to his propriety so 
as to "mack it in valeu of one hundred pounds," and land 
was granted him as follows : 

Also we doe grant Benjanun Judd shall haue added to the north end of his 
House Lott some land to build one always prouided that the highway that runeth 
through the Towne in towne in that place shall be and remain four rods and a half 
wide to be layd out to him by the forsaid persons. 

At a later period, he signed a petition addressed to the 
committee, " in reference to herding of cattell," which was 
answered April 5th, 1682-3. Before the date of this answer, 
however, (Feb. 6th, 1682-3,) his allotments were all " con- 
demned" for not building according to articles, &c. But a 
year afterwards, Jan. 10th, 1683, he was allowed the " prive- 
ledg of reseasing" (entering again into the possession of) his 
allotments, on the conditions prescribed by the "act of Feb. 
6th, 1682," which required a residence of " full four yers in a 
stedy way and manor," with his family. After this he is 
heard of no more in Mattatuck. 

John Root was the son of the John " Roote senr.," who sub- 
scribed and was accepted " in behalf of one of his sons," Jan. 
15, 1677-8. The father, called "goodman Rote," was one of 
the committee, in 1677, to take into consideration the expe- 



30 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

diency of clianging the village site. As to the son, his name 
is among those who had a division of fence in 1680, but he is 
spoken of no more. He removed to WestHeld, (Mass.,) and 
died in 1687. 

There were then eighteen persons (including the two wdio 
died) who signed the articles — thirteen in 1674, and five in 
1677 and subsequently — who failed to make good their pro- 
prietary rights. 

The following passage shows the way in which vacancies 
happening among the proprietors were filled by the com- 
mittee : 

Att a meeting of the Comity for mattatuck January 15, 16'7'7 Itt was agread 
and concluded: that we doe accept of John Roote seno'' subscribing to the arti- 
cles for Settling of mattatuck in the behalf of one of his sons and we accept of 
John Scouall on the Ace' of Abraham Bronson and benjamin barnes on account 
of Richard Seymour and of John Stanly Junior Joseph Gaylor on the account of 
Thomas Gridley [they] subscribing to submit to the articles aforsaid dated may 30"' 
1674 and in soo doing are excepted as inhabitants of the place dauid Carpenter 
subscribing in behalf of John Porter is excepted upon the same terms 

Below will be found what purports to have been copied 
from "the back side of the leaf where the original articles 
were filed." The new proprietors, of course, were required 
to take upon themselves the obligations of the old. Tlie 
names of some of them are here met with. 

We whose names are here under written do ingage to stand by and fullfill the 
Articls within written acording to the tru intent and meaning in all Respects as 
witness our hands 

Thomas ncwil Seno"' on the account of Sam Gridly 

Benjamin Barnes Thomas newill Sc 

John Scoval his /"mark 

John Stanly Junor for Joseph gaylor 
Benjamin Joans on the acount of John Andrus 

Edmund Scott Juno'' his c^ Benjamin Joans 






mark for william higasonC^ 



Abraham Andruss \ 

in rome of John Judd ^ 



William Judd has his allotment f^ 

granted to him by the comitee \^ William Judd 

according to their act febx 5 leSu'^ 

Steven upson subscribes on the account of a new lott this 29 of December 
1679. 



The mark of Steven / upson 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY, 



CIIAPTEE lY. 



SUBSCRIBERS WHO FINALLY SECURED THEIR RIGHTS. 

The number of persons who signed the articles subsequently 
to 1674, and who ultimately became proprietors, is nineteen, 
making with the seventeen on the list of 1674 who made 
good their rights, thirty-six. I give below a complete cata- 
logue of their names, throwing them into several groups, 
placing the groups in the order in which the individuals are 
known (or are supposed) to have subscribed the articles and 
complied with the conditions they imposed. Those of the two 
first groups signed in 1674 ; those of the third in 1677-8 ; 
those of the fourth about 1679; those of the fifth between 1682 
and 1705. The persons who have a star prefixed to their names 
had not made good their claims as proprietors, in Feb. 1682-3. 



Thomas Jiidd, 


£100 


*Thomas Warner, 


£100 


Edmund Scott, 


100 


Widow Warner, 


60 


John Welton, 


80 


*Thomas Newell, 


90 


Abraham Andruss, 


80 


Edmund Scott, Jr., 


70 


Isaac Bronson, 


90 


Stephen Upson, 


50 


John Stanley, 


100 


Benjamin Jones, 


100 


Samuel Hikcox, 


85 


*Abraham Andruss, 2d, 


100 


Joseph Hikcox, 


60 






John Bronson, 


80 


John Hopkins, 


100 


John Warner, 


90 


Tliomas Judd, Jr., 


100 


John Newell, 


100 


[Robert Porter, 


100] 






Samuel Scott, 


50 


*Thomas Hancox, 


100 


Richard Porter, 


50 


*Thomas Richason, 


50 


Thomas Judd (smith,) 


100 


*John Carrington, 


60 


Philip Judd, 


80 


*Oba(liah Richards, 


80 


John Richards, 


80 


*Timothy Stanley, 


95 


Jeremiah Peck, 


150 


*Daniel Porter, 


90 
100 


John Southmayd, 


150 


Benjamin Barnes, 


£3,130 


*Joseph Gaylord, 


80 






*John Scovill, 


80 







32 HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 



The name of Timothy Stanley, in the above catalogue, oc 
ciipies the place of " Sergt. John Stanley for son," in the ori- 
ginal subscription list, he appearing to take possession of the al- 
lotment thus subscribed for by his father. In the same way, 
Daniel Porter (the son) and John Newell (the son) stand in 
the places of " Daniel Porter for son," and of "Thomas Newell 
for son." Thomas Judd, John Staidey, John Bronson, and 
John Warner, all signers of 1674, have, in each case, Jr. at- 
tached to their names in the original list, they having fathers 
bearing the same name. After they became inhabitants of 
Mattatuck the Jr. was omitted, and at length, when their 
sons had grown up, they were called Sen.., in each instance, 
except that of Stanley. Robert Porter's name is omitted (for 
what reason I know not) from all the lists of jjroprietors made 
out after 1688. But as he is on that list, owned a house and 
lived, and finally died, in Waterbury, in 1689, he would seem 
to have complied with the conditions of a proprietor. Besides, 
after his death, his son Thomas sold his lands, and in 1700, his 
£100 propriety, to John Richards, proving his rights had not 
been forfeited. We might suppose that Richards name, 
which appears not till after the death of Porter, was intended to 
occupy the place of the latter, were it not for the fact that the 
proprieties of the two are different, that of Richards being 
but £80. 

The following passage relates to the acceptance of Thomas 
Judd, Jr., as a proprietor : 

Hartford Jan lO"- 1683 [1683-4] Thomas Judd Jun' is acepted as an inhab- 
itant att Mattatuck his ft\ther thomas Judd having signified his desires of the 
same he the sayd Thomas Judd Junor subscribing to the act and order of the 
comity feb the 6 1682 ****** jtt being determined by us the com- 
ittee in case any grant or any grants be made by the inhabitants of mattatuck to 
thomas Judd Junor in rcfarence too posesion of Any parsols or tracts of land it is 
hereby made void: and of none eifect not with standing anything to the contrary 

Samuel Scott was made a proj^rietor soon after, receiving 
jDrobably a part of a grant to Thomas Judd, Jr., "made void" 
by the jireceding act of the committee. 

Matatuck Decembe ye 30 1084 y« town granted to Samuel Scott half y« alot- 
ment formerly granted to thomas Judd junr with y' exception of four acres to be 







'a/7fa^.^^A//7J 



autei IjT CX-Anifc* 



1 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 33 

taken out of y' a lotment [for a?] great lot — and a deuition of meadow with y« 
Rest of y« propriators in y® next deuition of meadow land according to a fifty 
pownd a lot[ment] witli y« hous lot an ye south sd of Stephen ubson with thes 
prouisals y' he build a hous according to articles within four yeirs and Hue here 
after his hous be build and pay y^ purchas of a fifty pound lot 

Samuel Scott's name disappears from the list of proprietors 
after 1688, that of Jonathan Scott occupying its place, the lat- 
ter having bought, April 2Sth, 1691, the house and all the 
lands divided and undivided, of his brother, in Waterbury. 

It seems there was some doubt about the proprietary rights 
of Stephen Upson, Kichard Porter and Jonathan Scott. This 
doubt was finally the origin of a declaratory act in 1702-3, 
which seems to have settled the question : 

At a meeting of y^ propriators in waterbury february 22*'' 1*702 y* propriators de- 
clare y' y« propriators for ye first purchasing of y» place and such as stand pos- 
sesed of alotments according to y* gran comitys act with Stephen ubson Richard 
porter and Jonathan scott whos alotments ware excepted of ye commity as a fifty 
pownds a lot ment apeic shall be acknowledged propriatory inhabitants and to act 
in giuing a way lands in s<> propriatory ship and for ye futor no more to act in ye 
propriators meeting then one for a singell alotment 

Several of the signers had the amount of propriety for which 
they at first subscribed (given above) increased, on applica- 
tion, by the committee. Here are extracts from the record re- 
lating to Isaac Bronson's and Samuel Hikcox's rights. (Ben- 
jamin Judd, it will be remembered, forfeited his claim.) 

Upon further considaration we haue hereby granted benjamin Judd and Isaac 
brownson shall haue so much uplands aded to their alottments as shall mack their 
medow alotments in valew of one hundred pounds and that adition to be aded to 
their respectiue eight acre lotts already granted feb. 6 1680 

Att a town meeting in mattatock decem 29*'' 1682 : there was granted to sam" 
hickox an adition to his alotment so much land as shall make up his lot to be a 
hundred poum? alotment and this addition to be aded to his eyght acer deuition 
.ye com~te [committee] granting ye same 

Tlie rights of Daniel Porter and Timothy Stanley seem also 
to have been augmented, each, £5 ; but I am unable to say 
when. Doubtless it was done by grant of the committee. 
The whole increase, in this way, was £35. 

3 



34 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

It will be recollected that, in tlie articles of settlement, the 
committee reserved to themselves the right " to lay out two 
or three allotments at their best discretion." This they exer- 
cised by setting apart, in the beginning, three proprieties of 
£150 each, for the common benefit — "for public and pious 
uses," — particularly for the maintenance of religion, and the 
promotion of education. These were called "great lots," 
(" greate lotes," on the record.) Two of them were given 
to Mr. Peck and Mr. Southmayd as they were settled suc- 
cessively in the ministry. 

A declaratory act was passed in 1715, relative to Jeremiah 
Peck's right, as follows : 

The Proprietors did conclude that Mr. Jeremiah Peck our former Minister in 
his life time was Invested with one hundred & fifty Pound propriety. 

The sum of all the subscriptions of the thirty-six persons in 
the above list, was £3,130. There were additions made after 
subscription to the rights of certain individuals, as already 
stated, in all of £35, which sum added to the other, makes a 
total of £3,165. Of this amount there was subscribed in 1674, 
by thirty persons, and afterwards represented by them, or by 
those who were accepted in equal numbers, in their places, 

the sum of £2,580 

There was added to this " a new lot " for Stephen 

Upson, Dec. 29, 1679, the sum of ... 50 

For Isaac Bronson's addition, . . . . lo 

For Samuel Hickox's addition, - - - - 15 

For Daniel Porter's addition, . _ . . 5 

For Timothy Stanley's addition, . _ . . 5 

For Samuel Scott's " half an allotment," - - - 50 

For Richard Porter the other half, probably, of the same, 50 
For Thomas Judd, Jr., probably a new allotment, - 100 
For Mr. Peck and Mr. Southmayd, £150 each, - 300 

£3,165 
As a general rule, a propriety once subscribed for, and se- 
cured by a compliance with the articles, went in the name of 
the original signer. If a person sold out a part, or the whole 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 35 

of bis riglit, or if he died and his interest was distributed 
among bis beirs, the propriety was kept together on the record 
and stood in tbe name of tbe first owner. If a man bad a 
claim, derived from others, he must show that he obtained his 
title by regular conveyance from the original owner. Rights 
in tbe undivided lands were transferred like other real estate 
by deeds, warrantee, or quit claim. A man, for instance, sold 
a £5 or £10 right or propriety, and the deed was recorded, the 
record being evidence of title. 

There are a few instances, however, in which the name was 
changed on a change of ownership. When Thomas Judd, 
Sen., died in 1702-3, his £100 right went into the possession 
of his son John, and John Judd's name, ever after, is entered 
in the place of his father's. Benjamin Jones died in 1689, 
and Capt. Thomas Judd, in 1715, purchased bis right. From 
that date, Thomas Judd appears twice in the successive lists of 
proprietors, once as " Thomas Judd," and again as " Thomas 
Judd Jones," while Benjamin Jones is heard of no more. 
Again, the original Thomas Judd, Jr., conveyed, in 1721, to 
Samuel Hall of Wallingford, his propriety. After that, the 
right goes in the name not of Samuel Hall Judd, (according to 
the rule in the preceding case,) nor of Samuel Hall, but of 
"Thomas Judd, Jr. Halls." 

The above, three in number, are all the alterations of names 
which resulted from a change of ownership, (unless John 
Richards' name was substituted for Robert Porter in conse- 
quence of such a change.) And in adopting these, it will 
be observed, no uniform rule was followed. 

The subscribers to the articles were, in the beginning, the 
joint owners of all the lands of the town, each having as 
many shares or " rights," so to speak, as he subscribed pounds. 
A person in the first instance, might subscribe for any sum, 
not exceeding a £100 allotment, according to article II, thus 
securing, within certain limits, such proportional interest as 
be pleased. This limitation was designed to prevent specula- 
tion, and to restrain individuals from obtaining too much 
land. The committee wished to secure actual settlers, and as 
far as consistent, equality of condition and possessions. Tbe 



36 HISTOEY OF WATEEBUKY. 

sum of all the subscriptions, as tliey at first stood, was £2,580, 
or twenty-iive hundred and eighty shares. Each person, then, 
who had a £100 propriety, had a title to one-twenty-sixth part 
(within a fraction) of all the undivided lands in the township. 
The admission of new proprietors, or additions to the rights 
or shares of the old signers, of course diminished the propor- 
tion of each one whose propriety had remained unaltered- 
By augmenting the number of j)roprietors one-fifth, or rather 
by increasing the number of shares nearly one-third, a pound 
right came to have a greatly reduced land value. The cost 
of the original purchases of the Indians was borne by share- 
holders, according to each man's interest. Expenses incurred 
for the common benefit, were defrayed by the same rule. 
Koads and fences to inclose the common field, were built by a 
tax on shares. Article III required that all public charges, in 
the first years of the settlement, should " be paid proportiona- 
bly to meadow allotments," and " meadow allotments " were 
proportioned to propriety. 

Each settler was to have, in the commencement, according 
to the articles, eight acres for a home lot. These eight acre 
lots, as has already been stated, were at first " located " on 
the old town plot ; but as the town center was changed, 
there was at that time no occasion to do more, and they were 
not regularly laid out and surveyed, till lYSO. As there were 
not lots enough for all, a few of the original subscribers, and 
all the most recent ones, had to take their lots somewhere 
else.* 



* " Not. 29, 1726. It was by vote agreed that if the Committee for the Old Town platt Lotts Cant 
find all the Old Town platt Lotts for nil the Original Proprietors, those that are Wanting may 
have Liberty to take them up in the Undivided Lands." Pro. Book, p. 80. 

The record of the laying out and distribution of these lots is particularly interesting, because 
it furnitbes the first authentic list, as far as it goes, of the original proprietors of Waterbury. 
There are ihirty names, it will be noticed, corresponding with the number who first signed the 
articles. If a signer had forfeited his right, his name is omitted, and that of a substitute, who 
had complied with the conditions, is inserted. There is one exception, however. David Car- 
penter's name is here, though he did not " fulfill." I don't know why it is found, and am unable 
to say who took his place. Tea. Judd's name is entered twice, once, I suppose, for Benjamin 
Jones, whose propriety he bought in 1715 Lieut. Timothy Stanley's name is also inserted twice, 
once ('oubtless for that of somebody whose right he had purchased. Of the two "great lots," 
one was for schools and the other for the minister. The latter went to Mr. Peck. These last 
lots ST.-ell the whole number to thirty-two. 

"A list of the House Lotts on the Old Town Platt Set out by a Committee Lieut. Timothy Stan- 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 3Y 

Tlie new house lots were distributed in the same way, each 
proprietor being entitled to one, the choice being determined 
by lot. " A three acre lot for pasture," seems also to have 
been granted by the committee, in the beginning, to each set- 
tler. This appears not from direct evidence, but from allu- 
sions like the following, under date of March 11th, 1678-9. 

And itt is ordered that Lieut samuel Steele Willum Judd and John Stanly Jun' 
Lay out to the proprietors their thre acre lotts that are granted to them accord- 
ing to former agreement. 

It appears that in addition to the above, each proprietor 
had eight acres (called his " eight acre lot ") granted him by 
a vote of the committee, Feb. Gth, 1682-3 : — 



ly, Doctr Daniel Porter Senr & Deacon Thos Hickcox, We began on the West Teer, : 
End and found as follows : — 



1. John Brounsons Lott 


Then we begun at the South End of the East 


2. Edmund Scotts, Lott 


Teer & found 


3. Isaac Brounsons Lott 


1. Deacon Judds Lott 


4. Samuel Hickcox senr. Lott 


2. David Carpenters — 


5. Doctr Porters — 


3. Abraham Andrus — 


6. A Great Lott 


4. Lieut. Judds — 


7. A Great Lott 


5. Edmund Scotts Senr — 


8. John Warner — 


6. Lieut. Timo Stanleys — 


Then an Eight Road highway South of 


7. Abraham Andruss, Cooper — 


Warners Lott that Runs East and West 


8. Benjm Barnes — 


as the Lotts lye, 


9. Thomas Newel's — 


9. Thomas Richardsons Lott 


Then Eight Rods highway to Run East & West 


10. Joseph Hickcox — 


or as the Lotts lie 


11. Lieut. Timo Stanleys — 


10. Obadiah Richards Lott 


12. John Newells — 


11. Thomas Warners — 


13. Benjm Jones — 


12, John Scovils — 


14. Lieut. John Stanleys — 


13, John Carringtons — 


15. Deacon Judds — 


14. John Weltons — 


10. John Hopkins — 


LI. Daniel Warners — 




16. Thomas Juds — 


The several Lotts in the East Teer Butt west 


on highway. 


The several Lotts in the West Teer Butt East on highway. 


found by the Committee 






Daniel Porter 




Thomas Hickcox 




Timothy Stanley." 



The old, familiar names which we do not find in this catalogue, are those of Thomas Hancox, 
who signed in 1074, (but who afterwards forfeited his rights and was obliged to take his chance 
as a new subscriber,) and of Joseph Gaylord, who signed in 1677-8, and of several others who 
became proprietors at a later period — Stephen Upson, Richard Porter, Philip Judd, Jonathan 
Scott, John Richards, John Southmayd and John Judd, the last, however, being represented in 
the list by Lieut. Judd. All these, I suppose, omitting the last, had to go to the undivided lands 
for their eight acre lots. 



33 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

Itt is Granted that ecth propriator as addisonal to ther former grants shall eeth 
inhabitant haue eight acrs pr man layed out to them in such places within their 
towne bounds as the inhabitants shall agre to be layed out by persons chosen by 
the inhabitants of the place. 

These several parcels of land, then — the town plot eight 
acre lots, the new home lots, the three acre lots for jDasture, and 
the eight acre lots of 1682-3 — were distributed, at the outset, 
without reference to proprietj. With these exceptions, and 
also with the exception of certain special grants hereafter to be 
referred to, the lands of Waterbury were, from time to time, 
as there was need of them for improvement, distributed 
among the proprietors in the way of division. The land thus 
obtained was called an allotment, and the same term was ap- 
plied to the proprietory right, or the right of allotment. 
These divisions were nothing more than dividends on shares, 
usually so many acres, or so many parts of an acre, on each 
pound propriety. There w^ag occasionally, particularly in the 
early years of the settlement, a modiiication of the rule which 
commonly gave some advantage to the small stockholders, or 
proprietors. The divisions were repeated at intervals, till 
there was nothing more to divide, or till the entire township 
passed into the hands of individuals. The first one was made 
at the time the settlement w^as commenced, under the direc- 
tion of the committee, when the meadows were distributed, 
or the " meadow allotments " taken up. The first made 
by authority of the proprietors themselves, was in 1688, and 
the last in 1801. 

The proprietors, as has already been mentioned, disposed 
of their lands by division, except in the cases in which reasons 
were supposed to exist for special grants. That the division 
might be equitably made, it was the practice to draw lots for 
a choice of lands. He who drew number one, was to have 
the first choice, having liberty to select from any of the lands- 
proposed to be distributed. He who drew number two, had 
the second choice, and so on. A person's chance was his lot, 
and the thing acquired (the land) was also his lot. After the 
order of choice had been determined, a certain day, distant 
enough to allow time for examining the lands and making a 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 39 

selection, was specified, on wliicli the laying out was to com- 
mence. Running on from this fixed time, each proprietor 
was to have a day determined by his lot drawn, (sometimes 
two were to have two days,) on which he might take up his 
lands and have them surveyed by the town measurers. It he 
neglected to do this, in the time allowed, he must wait till all 
the others had had their turns. In some instances, in order 
to equalize the chances, or compensate for good or ill luck, 
the land to be drawn for was divided into two equal parcels, 
with a distinct lot for each, (two draughts, the record says.) 
The first was drawn in the way described. In the second lot, 
he who had the first chance in the first drawing, now had the 
last, and he who before had the last now had the first, the 
order of choice being reversed. Certain regulations and re- 
strictions were established, at diff'erent times, designed to 
govern action in taking up the lands, and to secure the com- 
mon weal, by preventing an abuse of privileges. 

The following extracts indicate the steps that were taken 
preparatory to the proprietors' first land division of 1688 : 

Att a town meeting in mattatuck decern 30 (168-t) the town determined that 
there should be adiuition of all y^ undeuided meadow to each propriator accord- 
ing to his meadow allotment former grants exsepted 

Dec 31 1684 y* town mad choys of serg Judd sam'i hikcox and Johnstandlya 
commity to new and prepare al y« undeuided meadow for allotment * * * it 
was determined y' each man should haue y" charg of laying out hys lot 

Geneuary: S"* 1686 y« town declare y^ worck of y« commity chosn deem 30'' 
(1694) [1684] namely srg judd sr standly & sam'' hickox was to uew and pre- 
pare all ye undeuided meadow up y^ great Riuer and up Steels brook and hancox 
brook and all y® branches up y* Riuer. 

I have been unable to ascertain how much land there was 
distributed in this division. At any rate, there was not 
enough to be found in the places indicated up the river and up 
Hancox's and Steel's Brook, to give a full proportion to all 
the proprietors, so that several had to take a part of their al- 
lotments somewhere else. 

This division bears date April lYth, 1688. I transcribe the 
record which gives a list of the proprietors who were couQern- 
ed in this land distribution. It is the earliest formal list now 



40 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

extant, made out after the town was incorporated, and under 
circumstances which give it authority. It is interesting and 
important. The amount of propriety is not stated. 

Timothy Standly Robard porter 

Stephen ubson thomas Judd jun' 

Samuell Scott Richard porter 

daniel porter Mr fraysr 

thomas warner smith judd 

John brunson obadiah richards 

isaac brunson daniell warner 

John welton John standly 

edman scott juner John wornor 

Tho nuell John nuell 

jn hopkins john scouell 

ben barns John carrinton 

ben joanes thomas hancox 

Thomas Richason philipjudd 

Joseph gaylard abraham andrus senor 

Sam" hikcox Ensign Judd 

edman Scott senor abraham andruss junr 

Here are thirty-four names, two less than the full number, 
at a subsequent period. Who Mr, Frayser was, I know not. 
His name is not found, in any other instance, upon the record. 
It may, temporarily, have been substituted for that of Joseph 
Hickox, who had removed and recently died. Possibly 
Frayser was Ilickox's executor or administrator. We miss 
in this catalogue, Joseph Hickox and John Richards. Doubt- 
less Richards had not yet become a proprietor. I have al- 
ready stated that he purchased Robert Porter's right, and that 
we ought to suppose that he afterwards stood in his place, 
were it not for a discrepancy in the amount of their propri- 
eties. 

K we deduct two from this list, and add two, and then 
again add Mr. Peck and Mr. Southmayd, afterwards made 
proprietors, we complete the catalogue, having thirty-six in 
number. 

The next land division, so far as can be gathered from the 
records, was in 1691-2. The following passage is all I can 
find relating to it. It is taken from the old, unbound Propri- 



HISTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 41 

etors' Book, page 20tli, and it is in the hand of John Stan- 
ley:— 

Att a meeting of the propriators in "Watterbury: march the 15 169 J there was 
granted : to ecth propriator : inhabetant a deuition of outlands of ten acres to a 
hundred pound alotmcnt and fiue acres to a fifty pounde alotmente and so propor- 
sonable acording to mens alotments granted by the comity for the plas that is to 
say to thos that hould the poseson of the medow alotments by their own righte : 
ecth man to tacke itt up by suckseson after the lots are drawn the first too men 
to haue two days liberty to tack his land : and bringe in his report to ensign Judd 
who is to lay it out two them : and so to haue on day to two men. 

Besides the method by division, the lands were disposed of 
by grant. I have already referred to the home lots, the three 
acre lots and the eight acre lots, bestowed by the committee in 
the beginning. These grants were continued for the purpose of 
securing some common good, (as in the case of the grants to 
the mill and for the use of the ministry ;) or with the design 
of correcting inequalities and furthering the ends of impartial 
justice. 

One would suppose that our fathers need not have com- 
plained for want of land, considering their possessions. Some 
of them, however, considered themselves "straitened" as in- 
dividuals, and applied to the committee for relief. Relief was 
vouchsafed, as, for instance : 

And wharas steuen upson macks complaint that he is much straitened in his 
presant posesion of lands we grant ane adition acording to what the town se caus 
[&c] to be layd out by Tho Judd John Stanly and the present townsmen* febey 
5 1G80 

And wharas Daniell Porter [and] Thomas richason mack complaint that they are 
in want of Land to improue we grant liberty to the towne to add to what they 
haue acording to their good discrestion and what shall be alowed by the towne 
shall be lay<> out [to] them by Benjamin Judd and John stanly and also to lay out 
what belongs to the mille and miler febey 5 1680 

Joli Stanley, it seems, was unfortunate in his allotments, 
and 2)rayed for more land in the way of compensation. The 
committee consented and advised the grant. 

* Selectmen. 



42 HISTOEY OF WATEEBUEY. 

Upon the petion [petition of] sergent Jo stanly that he may be acomadated 
with four or Hue acrs of medow land up the river allthoug itt be four or fiue miles 
off from the towne in considaration of the meannes of his Alotments we the 
comity doe aduis the inhabitants to a complyance tharunto: The forgoinge con- 
clution signed feb 7th 1682 

John Talcott 
John wadsworth 
Nicho Olmsted 

After the committee had withdrawn from an active parti- 
cipation in the affairs of the plantation, the proprietors con- 
tinued to make special grants of land whenever occasion call- 
ed for them. At first, these grants were somewhat sparingly 
made, hut they gradually became common, till at length the 
lands were given away with a profuse liberality. Often the 
object was to encourage some undertaking, or business, or 
trade, calculated to be beneficial to the people ; such as the 
erection of a saw mill, or fulling mill, or tan yard. When 
there was no purj)ose but to distribute the land as fast as it 
could be improved, among those to whom it belonged, there 
was an endeavor to preserve a sort of equality — to regard the 
different and just claims of the recij^iants. Land, however, 
was abundant and not sufficiently valuable or in demand, to 
make generosity a difficult virtue. A main design was to en- 
courage the settlement of the town, and extend the borders of 
agriculture. A wilderness was to be subdued, and workers 
were wanted. If a man proposed to take up a tract of land 
and cultivate it, he was considered as offering a fair equivalent 
for it. All were benefited by his labor. If a person follow- 
ed some trade, considered as of first importance in the new 
plantation, as that of a blacksmith or clothier, he was regard- 
ed with special favor, and a grant to him was allowed to be a 
good investment. If an individual, not an inhabitant, who 
would make a good citizen, could be induced by a few acres 
for pasture, or a tract of boggy meadow, to settle in the town, 
the proprietors thought they made a profitable bargain. 

Jan. 21st, 1689-90, there were grants of land to many of 
the proprietors, seven acres to each, the lots to be improved 
as " hogfields " or hog enclosures. Into these the swine ap- 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 43 

pear to have been turned, in the summer season, to root the 
ground, to pick up the nuts and thus obtain their living. These 
" fields " seem to have been east of the town, on and near Farm- 
ington road, in the neighborhood of the long wigwam. Hog 
Pound, or Beaver Pond Brook, and Turkey Hill. I quote 
a passage from the record : 

At the same meeting the proprietors granted to samuell hickox s' seauen a cars 
of land on the hill on the west side of hoog pound broke on the same condition 
riehard porter had his jan 21 1G89 

One would naturally suppose that this use of land for 
keeping swine was the origin of the name Hog Pound, by 
which the district was known till a very recent period. But 
it will be observed that some of the tracts are located on Hog 
Pound Brook, showing that the name was in existence at an 
earlier period. Most likely, however, the lands had been em- 
ployed, in some instances, for a similar purpose, previous to the 
date of the grants named. Tlie district is now known by the 
more decorous name of East Farms. 

At first it was not usual for the proprietors to attach any 
conditions to the grants of land, except they were "not to pre- 
judice highways and former grants." At length, however, in- 
dividuals who had resided long enough in the town to se- 
cure their estates, began to show^ a disposition to leave. Jo- 
seph Hickox removed in 1685, Thomes Hancox in 1687, and 
many otliers soon after. The course was then, to a considerable 
extent, changed. Those who were not proprietors, but the sons 
of those who were, no longer received unconditional grants. 
Sometimes they were to build a portion of the common fence 
as a consideration. Usually they were required to reside in 
town, not off and on, but "in a steady way," four years, often 
five, and occasionally even six years. Sometimes, particu- 
larly if they received house-lots, they were " to build a tenant- 
able house according to articles." 

Sometimes the proprietors themselves were subjected to 
conditions. For instance, Jan. 3d, 1686-7. Abraham An- 
druss, Sen., had five acres of land given him on Little Brook, 
which were to be forfeited if he went away in four years. 



44 HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. ii 

Isaac Bronson and John Welton had grants in 1694-5, which 
were to hold good only on condition they remained in the 
town four years. Similar restrictions were imposed in other 
cases. There was a distrust even of the fathers of the settle- 
ment. Many were gone away, and others were preparing to 
follow. These, taken in connection with other things to be 
noticed hereafter, occasioned, very naturally, the greatest dis- 
couragement. 

The frequent refusal of those who had signed the articles to 
comply with the conditions which they prescribed, and the 
laggard movements and long delays of those who intended 
ultimate compliance, were the cause of much dissatisfaction 
and early complaint on the part of the planters, and of strin- 
gent action by the committee. I quote : — 

Att a metting of the comite for mattatuck: on the 26 of nouember 1679: 
whereas we haue receiued information by some of the inhabitants belonging to 
that place that [some] of the propriators to whom alotments ware granted haue 
hitherto neglected the settlement of them selues and families there to the great 
discouragment and weakening of the hands of those: that are Alredy upon the 
place with their famelys 

We haue thought meet to determine and resolue that all such propriators as 
shall not be personally with their famelies inhabiting att mattatuck by the last of 
may next: enseuing and ther to abide shall forfitt all their title property and 
interest in any alotments granted to them att mattatuck to be disposed by the 
comity to such other as they shall aproue off 

Also we doe further determine that all such inhabitants as shall not erect a 
mantion hous by the last of may come twelue month Acording to a former article 
to that purpose shall forfit all their right and title in lands att mattatucke aforsaid. 

Soon after, an order was f>assed designed to secure prompt 
action and faithfulness to engagements on the part of new 
subscribers. 

Further itt is agred by vs that in case any doe apere desiring alotments ther 
[they] shall subscribe to original articles and ingag allso to erect a dwelling 
hous acording to dementions [required by] said articles within one year after sub- 
scription and settle with his or their famelies vpon the place within that time oth. 
erwis to forfit all their grant of laud and right therin; to be disposed to such 
others as the comity shall Judg meet feb 5 1680 

Still there were hesitation and procrastination on the part of 
many proprietors. Some neglected to build, others to reside 



HISTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 45 

in the place, and others to bring their families. The com- 
plaints became louder and more frequent. The committee, 
for a long time reluctant to act, were finally obliged to take 
decisive measures. They passed the act known as the " Act 
of Feb. 6th, 1682." It declared the allotments of several de- 
linquent proprietors, Benjamin Judd, Samuel Judd and 
Thomas Hancox, " to be condemned as forfeited," uncondi- 
tionally. The same sentence was passed uj)on the allotments 
of Timothy Stanley, Joseph Gaylord, John Carrington, Abra- 
ham Andruss, cooper, Thomas Newell, Daniel Porter, Thomas 
Warner, Thomas Kichason, Obadiah Richards and John 
Scovill ; but upon condition of " their submition and ref- 
ormation with their cohabitation upon the place one complete 
yere as a dision all [additional] to the four yers Injoined " by 
the articles, their rights were to be restored. It also required 
new subscribers to reside in the place " the full term of four 
yers in a stedy way and manor with their famelies," and 
all persons accepted as proprietors, after its date, were to sign 
the act. Thomas Hancox signed it as a new subscriber. A 
few others, afterwards admitted, did the same. 

We whose [names] are under writen doe subscribe to a fuithfull submition and 
obseruation of the act of the comity one the other side of this leafe febuary 6 
1682: 

subscribed this 4 of June 83 Thomas hancox 

genuary 10: 83 Thomas Judd Jun' 

May 26 84 Robert porter 

June 13 87 philip Judd 

Timothy Stanley and the nine others whose names are men- 
tioned in the same connection, " submitted and reformed," 
and thus regained j)ossession of their land. 

The act of removal to a new settlement in the time of which 
I am writing was a solemn thing. It was undertaken only 
after certain formalities and much prayer. The Bible was 
consulted, and the aid of the church sought. There was 
much and earnest endeavor to ascertain the indications of 
Providence. Then, as now, however, it was generally found, 
at last, that the finger of Providence pointed in the same di- 



4:6 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

rection as the inclinations of those who sought guidance. By 
this remark, however, I do not mean to impugn the motives 
or question the sincerity of our forefathers, or the good men 
of our day. 

The extract given below, is from the Farmington church 
record. It is an answer to an application for advice. The 
paper is very shrewdly written, and contains much wordly 
wisdom, to say nothing of its strong religious sentiment. 
We can see why the church was so reluctant to part with 
William Judd, though the very man the new settlement stood 
in need of. The record bears no date, but there are indica- 
tions that the time was as early as the spring of 1677-8. 

The Church having considered the desires of their brethren William, Thomas, 
John and Benjamin Judd, as also John Standly, Jun. touching their removal from 
us to Mattatuck, agreed as folio weth : 

1 In general, that considering the diverse difficulty and inconueniency which 
attend the plan toward which they are looking, and how hazardable it may be, 
for ought that appeareth, that the house and ordinances of Christ may not, for a 
long time at least, be settled among them — 

The Church doth advise the brethren, to be wary of engaging far until some 
comfortable hopes appears of being suited for the inward man, in the great things 
fore mentioned. 

2. Particularly to our brother William Judd, that it having pleased God to 
deal so bountifully with him — that not many of the brethren with us have so large 
accommodations as himself, they see not his call to remove, on the account of 
straitness for outward subsistance, & therefore counsel him, if it may be with sat- 
isfaction to his spirit, to continue his abode with us, hoping God [will] bless him 
in so doing. 

3. To the rest, though we know [not how] much they will be bettered as to 
land, all things considered, by there removal, especially John and Benjamin Judd, 
and therefore cannot much encourage, yet if the bent of their Spirits be strong for 
going, and the advice fore given, touching the worship of God be taken, we shall 
not trouble, but say the will of the Lord be done. 

Of the above mentioned persons, only two, Thomas Judd 
and John Stanley, Jr., lived up to the articles and became 
proprietors ; though the others, particularly William and Ben- 
jamin Judd, found "the bent of their spirits to be strong for 
going," and apparently tried hard to like the enterprise, but 
iinally gave it up, finding perhaps that they had misread the 
teachings of duty. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUUY. 47 



CHAPTEE Y. 



THE COMMON FENCE AND COMMON FIELD. 

One of the first things to be attended to in the new settle- 
ment, was the building of fences for the protection of the 
crops and the meadow lands. The committee gave this sub- 
ject their early attention. I quote from their acts under date 
Jan. 15,1677,(1677-8):— 

We order the comon fene one the este sid the riuer for securing the niedows 
shall be made siifitiently by the last of may acorduig to the number of acrs of 
medow land ecth propriator is seized of and we desire and apoint willum Judd, 
Thomas Judd and John Stanly to proportion the said fene and lay out ecth person 
his just dues and being soe layed out: ecth person that shall neglect macking his 
just proportion shall be finable acording to the law of this colony. 

There was another order made regarding the " common 
fence," bearing date March 11th, 1678-9. By this, a new and 
additional division, it would seem, was to be erected, and the 
proprietors were required to make their respective proportions 
by the first of May, then ensuing. 

Wharas there is a mile of fence tharabouts yet to be erected: for securing thos 
lands that are under improuement from spoill of catle and swine wee doe aduise 
and order that willum Judd Thomas Judd and John Stanly Jun shall proportion 
and stacke out to ecth propriator his proportion with all sped conueni[cnt] 

We further order that ecth propriator doe erect a sufisent fence vpon thoss re- 
spective places apointed [to him] for defenc of that land that no damage to either 
corne or gras by cattle or swine [be done] which fence shall be done betwixt this 
and the first of May next: 

Late in the spring of the next year, orMay22d, 1680, there 
was an order issued, signed by John Talcott and John Wads- 
worth, for the building of three hundred and fifty rods of ad- 
ditional fence " forthwith ;" and each proprietor who neglect- 
ed his work till the first of June was to pay sixpence per 
rod, and for longer delay, sixpence per week. Further action 
upon the same subject was taken the succeeding year. Un- 



48 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



der date of Feb. 8, 1680, (1680-1,) the committee directed a 
portion of fence to be constructed by the first of April. 

The meadow lands up and down the river, on which the early 
settlers mainly depended for tillage and fodder, were regard- 
ed as particularly valuable. They were distributed in the be- 
ginning, but the lots lay in common ; that is, they were not 
separated by division fences. Fences were expensive and 
could not be afforded ; besides, on the low grounds they were 
liable to be swept away by the frequent floods. For the pro- 
tection of the meadows (as may be gathered from the preced- 
ing extracts and remarks) a "common fence" was erect- 
ed running along on the high ground, east of the river and 
west of the village, and extending a distance north and south. 
It was called " common," because it was for the equal benefit 
of all and was built and maintained by all. At this period, 
as no inhabitants dwelt upon the west side of the river, and no 
cattle were kept there, this single line of fence was deemed 
sufficient for the protection of the meadows. It was erected, 
in the first instance, and supported afterwards, by the propri- 
etors in proportion to the land each had to be inclosed— a 
given number of rods and feet to each acre. A man's partic- 
ular portion of fence was determined by lot. Beginning at 
the Mill Kiver (Mad River) and running north, each man's 
position in the line was decided by the number drawn, num- 
ber one standing first, number two second, and so on. This 
being done, each person's portion of the work was measured 
and " staked out." 

In the first Proprietors' Book, so called, in the beginning of 
the volume, is the following entry : 

The first, diuision [of fence] begins at the made riuer and soe runs northwards: 
till itt butts on the banke of the riuer: against stells [Steels'] meadow as itt falls 
by lott: — 

Then follow the names of the proprietors, beginning with 
Thomas Richason, in the order apparently in wliich the num- 
bers were drawn, with the length of fence, in "rods," "fete" 
and " inches," assigned to each, the amount of fence being, in 
every instance, proportioned to proprietorship. There are 







^jpa^x:zza.(^-^':n. <^o.v?^ 



1 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 49 

twenty-six names in tliis list, including three "grate lotes," the 
latter having thirty-three rods and fifteen feet each — the 
proportion for £150 propriety. The entire length of this divis- 
ion of fence appears to have been two hundred and eighty- 
four rods, nine feet and ten inches, or seven-eighths of a mile. 
It was doubtless that portion which was first built, (in the 
spring of 1677-8,) it being more immediately necessary than 
other portions. 

This catalogue of names, on tlie record, is followed by a 
second division of fence, beginning at the north end of the 
last division and running northward. Then come thirty 
names, including the three great lots, and a line of fence 
amounting to two hundred and fifty-eight rods, one foot and 
three inches, or over three quarters of a mile. It was probably 
erected in the spring of 1678-9. The third division began 
at the Mill River and ran south three hundred and four rods, 
twelve feet and nine inches, or nearly one mile, and was par- 
celed out to twenty-seven proprietors, inclusive of the great 
lots, and seems to have been built in the spring of 1679-80. 
The fourth division continued the line south two hundred and 
seven rods, twelve feet, seven inches, or over three-eigliths 
of a mile, and was distributed among thirty-seven proprietors, 
counting the great lots. It appears to have been made in the 
spring o"f 1680-81. 

The four divisions of common fence spoken of, (erected in 
the earl}'- parts of the four first years after the settlement,) two 
north and two south of the Mad River, in their whole length, 
measured a little over three and a quarter miles, the two 
northern divisions making somewhat more than half of the 
whole. A fifth division is spoken of in 1686-7. At any rate, 
additions were made to the fence from time to time, either way, 
as circumstances required. At an early period (before 1700) 
it seems to have reached Long Meadow Falls, about two and 
a half miles below the village, on the south ; and on the north, 
to have extended as far as Mount Taylor, four miles from the 
center. Before 1G85-6, it had crossed Hancox Brook, as appears 
from the record which follows: 

4 



50 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY, 

Mattatock march y* last 1685-6 y* town by uoat detrmined y' thos men yt 
haue fenc ouer hancox brook and northward from y* town be brought ouer to y^ 
east B^ y* brook and set in y« rang on as good ground as they now stand for 
fencing y' is on y« rang y' is determined furder to fenc for y^ securing of y« 
meadows. 

This removal offence seems to have been in pursuance of a 
plan for protecting the lands farther up the brook, and so 
crossing perhaps at a higher point. The lands to be thus se- 
cured were about to be divided among the proprietors, and 
brought under cultivation. It seemed to be the design to in- 
clude within the common fence all the lands which were most 
valuable for meadow and tillage. A lot at " Pine Hole," so 
late as 1733, is described in a deed as within the "common 
field," and as bounded east on the common fence. 

Near the village the common fence ran as follows : Be- 
ginning at Mill Eiver a little above the manufactory of 
the Hotchkiss and Merriman Manufacturing Company, at 
a point (where " it was agreed," March 31st, 1709, " by a 
mager uott to cal the fens cros the mad riuer in the comon 
line seauen rod") at the southeast corner of Abraham Andruss, 
Sen's house lot of three and a half acres, it ran northwesterly 
along the brow of the hill between said Andruss' land and the 
Mill Plain fifteen acre lot, (sometimes called Hopkins' Plain,) 
till it reached Union street, at " Union square." Thence it 
continued along the south side of Union street and the north 
side of the Plain above mentioned to the hill just west of Elm 
street, where there were bars and an entrance to the common 
field. Thence I can find no early traces of it till we come to 
the south meadow gate at the southwest corner of Bank and 
Grand streets. Probably, at the bars in Union street, it con- 
tinued westerly, in the line of that street, to the point named 
in Bank street, thus including within the common field the 
house lots of Stephen Upson, Samuel Scott and Richard 
Porter. Here it ran, at so late a period as 1790.* 



* This appears from a deed, dated Feb. 10th, of that year, from Thomas Porter to his son 
Phineas Porter, conveying, for £78 15s. lawful money, a tract of land in the " common field," 
estimated at seventeen acres, lying between Union street and the old roads running, one south- 
westerly from the Plain bars, the other southeasterly from Bank street. The boundary line is 
described in the c eed as follows : " Beginning about two rods east of David Pritchard's 



HISTOKY OF WATERBUEY, 51 

From the corner of Bank street the fence extended west in 
the south line of Grand street and in front of Stephen Upson's 
and John Welton's land and the burying yard to the Little 
Pasture (parsonage lot) and Willow street. Thence it j^assed 
up Willow street, on the westerly side, (leaving Benjamin 
Jones' and Dea. Judd's houses on the left) to West Main street 
and the " common gate," Thence it continued past John 
Scovill's in the west line of Willow street, up the hill and 
into the woods above. Afterwards, it appears to have borne 
off more to the west till it reached the river's bank, opposite 
Steel's meadow, seven-eigliths of a mile from the starting place 
at Mad River. A little farther on, it left the Naugatuck and 
extended in a more easterly direction, so as to include the 
better lands east and south of Hancock's Brook. 

In the above description, I have considered the home lots 
of Benjamin Jones, Dea. Judd and John Scovill as lying 
within the common field. This was undoubtedly the fact, 
although I do not find the circumstance alluded to in any con- 
veyance, or by any direct or incidental remark. 

The fence spoken of above was removed from time to time, 
farther westward, till it came to inclose the meadows, proper- 
ly so called, only. A portion of it, in the form of an old, 
broken stone-wall, may still be seen, standing where it was 
placed, after this process of removal was begun, up Willow 
street, north of the village, a little west of the road. 

East of the Mad River the common fence ran south and 
southwesterly, keeping on the west side of the mill lot of eight 
acres, and below occupying the high ground at some distance 
from the river. 

Soon after ITOO, when people began to settle on the west 
side of the river, more frequent complaints were made of dam- 
age done to the common fields by cattle. In 1701, the town 
resolved that all horses, cattle or swine found running at large 



dwelling house, [on the southwest corner of Bank and Grand,] extending eastward to the 
highway that goeth into the common field at the mill plain bars, then southward by the high- 
way till it comes to the highway that goeth to Salem, then by said highway to the first corner, 
butting all sides on highway." At the date of this deed, and afterwards, the land on the borders 
of the Great Brook, lying within this tract, and for a considerable distance above, was an 
alder swamp. 



52 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

west of tlie river might be impounded. The following vote 
has relation to this subject : — 

April 6, 1702, y« propriators by uoate agree that who soeuer shall haue liberty 
to Hue on y* west s'^ y« fence or great riuer within our bounds shall submit to y* 
order of y« propriators as if they lined y® east s*" y« common fenc as to our 
agreement of fencing or [our] meadows y' by reson of them we be not under 
nesesity of fencing on y* west &^ our meadows but y' theyr creators be pound 
fesent in any of our meadows, and they oblidged to keep theyr creators out of 
our feild, as if they were fenced round and he y' gos to line on y* west sid to 
subscrib this act in testimony of his submiting to it and he y' refuses to submit 
to this order not to be alowed to line on y^ west s^ 

It became more apparent, however, from year to year, that 
it would be necessary to construct a fence on the west side of 
the river, running down to and crossing it at each end, so as 
completely to encircle the common field. Some, however, so 
late as 1704, were in favor of extending the line on the east 
side south as far as Beacon Hill Brook, the southern boundary 
of the town, and of being content, for the present, with the 
additional security which that extension would afford. I copy 
the vote of the proprietors to show how this subject was dis- 
of:— 



[Voted] to fenc from y« east end of y« mountain against mount taylor on y* 
west s^ ye Riuer and so to y« falls in y* Riuer at y« lor end of y« long meadow 
and to make y^ fenc good and substanchall aganst al orderly horses and cattell 
and sufficiant aganst too yeir olds and y« fenc to be uewed by the fenc-uewers. 
deak Tho judd Left Timothy Stanly Jo" hopkins sen' benjamin borns sen' &Tho. 
judd ju'' was Chosen a com~ty to niodell y* land* in s<^ feild and proportion y« 
fenc of s'' feild to each man acording to his propriaty & lay out to each man his 
part — y* lands on which y® fenc is to be laid is all y' is fit for plowing or mo- 
ing in s^ feild hauing Respect to y* fenc already layd out each man to keep his 
fenc alredy layd out to him and there being much land spoyled with y« flood 
ye oners of such land to be considred and abated in this diuition y' y« whol 
Rang of fenc of s^ feild may be equally proportioned to each propriator accord- 
ing to his benifit of lands in s^ feild as near as they can desenib'' 12 1704 

Ye propriators agreed to leaue a mile at y" north end of ye loyn wher they 
began to measure on ye west sid where they intend to set ye fenc to be dun by 
ye propriators in a genaral way to be layd on ye land yet undeuided as it shall be 
taken up march ye S*"" lloi 



*"To modell ye land" — to appraise the land, or rather to determine its relative value or 
quality, in order that an apportionment of fence on this basis might be made among the owners. 
I infer this to be the meaning of the phrase, from the connections in which it is used in the record. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 53 

This last part of the fence was to be done by the propri- 
etors in their collective capacity until the undivided lands 
spoken of were taken up, when it was to be distributed among 
the owners of such lands according to usage. 

But the vote which I have given, dated December 12th, 1704:^ 
and which determined the principle on which the new fence 
was to be divided among the proprietors, gave much dissatis- 
faction. At a subsequent meeting, April lOtli, 1705, a modi- 
fication of the i^rinciple was souglit and obtained. It was 
then determined — 

Y' y« whole Rang of fenc quit round sd feild shail be equally diuided on ye 
acer alike of all sorts of land With in s^ feild booth of plo\Ying moing up- 
land and paustor y* is allready layd out or giuen to any man and each man to 
maintain his fenc so layd out to him but the fenc already layd on y« east s^ 
[side] to remain and belong to them y* it belongs to not to remoue them but to 
be counted as part of their diuitionas fiire as it will go y« former act by this made 
uoid in exempting pastor lands considering waste land & modalizing 

This uoat was full but four or 5 acted aganst it and doctor porter one of them 
did protest aganst it. 

But there Avas delay in making the fence, and much mur- 
muring at the injustice of the last vote. By that vote, it will 
be noticed, each man's proportion of fence was to depend, as 
it did in the beginning, by order of the grand committee, on 
the number of acres he owned in the common field, without 
reference to the value of the land ; so that a person having 
twenty acres of valuable " moing " land had to build no 
more fence than he who had twenty acres of upland or " paus- 
tor," or who had a large proportion of waste lands barely 
worth fencing. But the argument was not all on one side. It 
would cost as much to fence the poor as the good land. An 
acre of the second or third quality increased the size of the 
field to be inclosed as much as an acre of the first quality. If 
a man's lands had been damaged by floods it might be claim- 
ed that it was his misfortune and not his neighbors' ; unless, 
indeed, the neighbors chose to share it with him. There was 
then some show of right in a per acre distribution of the fence. 
But those who claimed this at last yielded the point. Our 
fathers were friends of peace, and bore each other's burdens. 



54 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

In order " for to attain apeicableproceding" the proprietors 
again agreed "to model y® land," " proportioning y^ fenc to 
each propriator according to his benifit," " abating for paustor 
lands, waste lands and lands spoyled with the flood." In fact, 
the vote that was passed on the 12th of Dec, 1704-, was, w^ith 
some slight alterations of orthography, &c., again adopted. 
This was on the 17th day of Dec. 1706. A new committee — 
Thomas Judd, Jr., John Hopkins, Sen., and Dea. Judd — was 
appointed " to model y^ land in sd feild & deuid y^ fenc," 
while " Stephen nbson sen, John wxlton sen"" and abraham an- 
druss " were chosen " a com~ty to model y« lands " of the first 
named committee. 

But this west fence was long in getting itself built. The 
truth is, it was a great work for the people, considered as an 
addition to their other necessary labor, in their then weakened 
condition. But our fathers were men of pluck. Yotes 
were taken and committees appointed, the land measur- 
ed and " modeled," and the M'ork apportioned " according 
to interest and benefit ;" and at last a sort of board of relief 
was selected " to Regulate mistackes if any be and if any are 
over charged to haue it taken ofi" and they y* want to haue 
it [;] but if any haue not enough fenc and it be not in y^ loyn 
[line] staked out to take it by sucsesion at y® northend, j^ south 
ward to be first so sucsesiuely [April 12, 1708.]" The fence 
upon the west side, like that npon the east, was designed to 
inclose all the lands most valuable for culture which could 
be conveniently done. It ran along upon the high ground, 
in many places at a distance from the river, and the remains 
of it are still met with at certain points, in the form of a 
broken wall of stone. 

The whole quantity of divided lands included in the com- 
mon field, soon after the west side fence was built, when the 
entire common fence was apportioned, seems to have been six 
hundred and eighty-one acres. How much land there was un- 
divided, or which had not yet been taken up, may be gathered 
from the circumstance that one mile offence at the upper end, . 
on the west side, was left, by the act of March, 1704-5, " to be 
done in a general way," and to be afterwards distributed to 



IIISTOKY OF WATEKBURY 



55 



those who should come into possession of the inclosed undivi- 
ded lands. One mile of fence may therefore be considered as 
the just proportion of the prospective owners — as the propor- 
tion which the undivided bore to the divided lands. As there 
were twelve miles of fence in the whole, six miles on each 
side the river, and as eleven miles represented six hundred and 
eighty-one acres, one mile should represent sixty-two acres. 
These sums added together, give seven hundred and forty-three 
acres as the entire contents of the common field, at the time 
indicated. 

To show who were the owners of the divided lands in the 
common field, how they were distributed and how the fence 
was apportioned, at the period of which I am speaking, I give 
an extract : 



\ 



An accountt of the number of tlie acurs of land ech man has to fens for in the 
generall feild as it was mesured by us: in march 1709 









Thomas Judd 










Steun ubson 










John scoull 




Abraham Andruss 


27 


Jeremiah Peck 




30 


Wid. Andruss 


U 


Doct. Porter 




26 


Benjamin Barnes 


21 


Richard Porter 




10 


Serg. Bronson 


17 


Thomas Porter 




5 


Isaac Bronson 




Obadiah Richards 




10 


John Bronson 


9 


John Richards 




18 


Wid. Bronson 


8 


Thomas Richason 




13 


Mr. Bull 


4 


John Richason 




7 


John Carrington 


5 


John Scovill 




21 


Joseph Gaylord 


4 


Edmund Scott 




19 


Benjamin Hickox 




George Scott 




16 


William Hicko.K 


21 


Jonathan Scott 




7 


Thomas Hickox 


19 


David Scott 




11 


Ebenezer Hickox 


i 


Mr. Southmayd 




21 


John Hopkins 


22 


Lt. Timothy Stanley 


38 


Wid. Jones 


11 


Samuel Stanley 




29 


John Judd 


2.5 


School Land 




7 


Philip Judd 


15 


Stephen Upson 




24 


Thomas Judd Jr. 


23 


Thomas Warner 




6 


Dea. Judd 


47 


Daniel Warner 




2 


Benjamin Judd 




John Warner 




1 


Mill Land 


19 


John Welton 




18 


Thomas Newell 


1 


Stephen Welton 




11 


Parsonage 


18 


Thomas Welton 




1 



56 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

The common fence was variously constmcted according to 
the natnre of the ground and the convenience of materials. 
It was made of rails laid in the form of the " worm fence," or 
of logs and poles, with the help of stakes. If stones were more 
abundant than anything else, these were laid into a wall. I 
find the hedge fence spoken of, its strength being increased 
by stakes. In some instances, a ditch was dug, and its eiFect 
augmented by rails or a hedge upon the embankment. 

The following order relates to the "sufficiency" of the 
common fence, 

March: 20; 16^1: an ordor What shall be counted soficien fenc for our meadows 

Rayl fenc to be: 4: foots high not exseeding: 6: inches between y« Rayls: too 
foots from y» ground upward — heg fenc: four foots and a half high: 6 stakes to 
each Rod and well Rought — ston fenc, three foots and nin inches in height — 
log or pool fenc four foots in height and well Rought — dich, too foots wid and 
Rayls or heg four foots in height from y« bottom of y® ditch to y* top of y® fenc 
and well Rought — 

And if there be any aduantag by resin of the land or plac where y* fenc is it 
is to be left to y® judgement of y« fencuewers what shall be soficant — 

By order of y« tounsmen abraham andrus John hopkins — aprill: y*: 6: 1692: 
this order to stand for y® fenc uewers to go by till ye town see caus to alter it 

Thomas Judd 

In the spring season, when vegetation began to start, it be- 
came the duty of each proprietor to put in good repair his 
portion of the common fence. The proprietors each year, in 
meeting, fixed upon the day beyond which the work should 
not be neglected. The day chosen was usually between the 
tenth and fifteenth of March. 

Immediately after the expiration of the time for these re- 
pairs, the fence viewers, who were annually appointed by the 
town, were required to make a careful examination of the 
fence, to decide whether it was conformable to law, and an ade- 
quate protection for the lands inclosed. If they found it in- 
sufficient in any place, they gave notice to him to whom it 
belonged, requiring him to make it good in five days, accord- 
ing to the statute. In case this notice was neglected, it became 
the duty of the fence viewers to make the necessary repairs, 
and to charge the delinquent double the cost of the work, to 
be collected by warrant. If they M^ere not able to make the 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. O t 

repairs, or " hire sufficient lielj) to do the same, so that the 
cominon field may be timely secured," they were authorized 
by law 

To make complaint to the next Assistant, or Justice of the Peace ; and it shall 
be in the power of such Assistant or Justice of the peace, to issue out his warrant 
to the Constable of said Town, in which such common field is situate, or to the 
fence viewers, to impress men and teams sufficient to repair such defective fence, 
who shall be paid bj* such fence viewers for their labor, as they can agree, or as 
shall be determined by such Assistant or Justice of the Peace. [Acts and Laws, 
printed 1715.] 

Early in the spring, annually, there was a vote passed by the 
proprietors " to burn about the common fence." I give an 
examjDle : 

March 6th 1*709-10 The propriators agreed by uoat that the beating the 
Drum through the town oner night shall be warning that the fence on the west 
side is to be burnt about the next day and on the east side the day following. 

In obedience to this summons, all the owners of the common 
fence sallied forth, each, I suppose, to look after his own. 
Wherever the fence was made of combustible material, they 
set fire to the dry leaves, grass and other rubbish in its imme- 
diate neighborhod, preventing, by great watchfulness, its 
spreading to the woods, or destroying the fence. This being 
done, the woods and fields were burnt over without concern 
for the purjjose of improving the pasturage. In this way, too, 
the damage which might have resulted from accidental fires, 
not infrequent, was prevented. 

Sometimes the firing of the woods was forbidden for a 
season, in order that the young trees might attain some growth. 
For instance, December 13th, 1713, "it was voted that the 
east woods should not be fired for seven years," and " if any 
person shall fire the above woods, he shall pay 20s." 

Early in the history of the town, there were two gates on 
the east side the river, frequently referred to, opening a pas- 
sage through the fence from the village to the common field. 
One of these was in Bank street, near Grand, and was called 
the south gate. It was not removed till recently — some 
twenty years ago. The other was near the west corners of 



58 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



I 



Willow and West Main streets, and was known by the name of 
the west or common gate. Tliis, it seems, was removed, at 
the date mentioned below, to a jDoint farther west, some ten or 
twelve rods probably, and the common fence extended on 
either side down to it. The record, it will be noticed, does not 
convey a very clear idea. 

Genuary 25. ITol^ y* town ordered y' y« west gate and fenc belonging to y" town 
should be remoiied belo deac judds barn to be directed by y^ towns men in seting 
of it down and John scouell to set y' part of his common [fence] y' frunts y' 
highway clos in y' highway where y« gate is to be set deac judd and John scouill 
hauing consented to haue theyr fenc next s"* highway from y« common fenc doun 
to s"" gate to be accounted common fenc and proceded in y' respect by y« fencuew- 
ers as such. 

On the west side of the river there were no gates, but four 
sets of bars. The "west bars" were on the Woodbury road 
west of the present covered bridge. The " south bars " were 
on the way to Town Plot by the present R. R. depot, crossing the 
river near the new bridge. The "Long Meadow bars" were 
on the road to Judd's Meadow, below the "riding place" at 
the lower end of Mad Meadow. "Isaac's Meadow bars " were 
on the road which ran up Manhan Meadow, crossing the river 
near the present fording place, and so on west through 
Steel's Meadow and over Steel's Brook towards Elon Clark's. 

For many years after the settlement of the town, there were 
no private fences excejDt those which inclosed the home lots. 
Individuals relied on the common fence to protect their crops. 
Lands lying without this fence were for a time undivided. 
Tliey were used by all for wood, timber, stone, pasturage, &c., 
and were called the " commons." The cattle, in the pasturing 
season, were kept in herds which were watched by a herdsman. 
I find an " order" of the committee relating to this subject : 

Wharas we receiued a paper signed by sarg' Thomas Judd Isaac bronson 
and benjamin Judd in refaranc to herding of cattell we doe order and apoint for 
the futur that the inhabitants att a towne meeting the maigor of the inhabitants 
so meete shall haue full pouer to resolue and determin the way and method for 
herding and to statt what shall be charged for keeping of cows and what shall be 
leuied one dry cattle 

april 5 1682. 

The sheep of the town were put under tlie care of a shep- 



HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 59 

herd, and thus kept from mischief. I discover, liowever, no 
action on this subject earlier than 1708. 

Att sheep meeting in waterbiiey march=29=l7('8 deac Judd John scouell and 
John Richason was chosen sheep mastors for this yir to order y« prudensials of 
y« sheep and to hire a sheepord and see him pay^ as y« law directs by y* owners of 
y sheep 

The meadows and the lands near the river were convenient, 
required little clearing or expensive preparation, and were 
easily worked. On these and their home lots, the people re- 
lied for their crops. In consequence of the value of the lands 
which it embraced, the common field was an important in- 
terest. The proprietors gave much of their time to its concerns. 
They framed such regulations as were for the good of all. A 
major vote governed ; not a major vote of the proprietors, 
but of pounds of propriety. The Colonial Assembly granted 
general powers, and prescribed the mode of exercising them. 

After the fence had been " done up " in the spring, and the 
fence viewers had attended to their duty, seeing that every 
thing was fast, the haywards were sent out to impound such 
cattle, horses, sheep and swine as were found within the com- 
mon field. The owners of the imprisoned beasts were obliged 
to pay the poundage ; but if it appeared that the fence was 
more at fault than the beasts, those who had thus paid their 
money could oblige the delinquent fence owners to bear the 
loss. 

Here are regulations concerning the common gates or bars, 
the " baighting " of cattle, &c. ; 

Dec. 12th, 1704, "the propriators by uoate agreed r' he y' lefs [leaves] opin 
y« com on gates or bers [bars] in y« com~on feild should pay al y® damag y' 
is dun thereby and y* no man shal stak horses* in y« moing land in said feild or 
baight cattell after y* first of aprill till combing timef except they are at work by 
y" [them] and the fenc of &^ feild to be keept up al y^ yeir and hogs pound 
fesiant al y« yeir 

* A horse was staked by making him fast to a stake driven into the ground, by means of a rope 
or cord several yards in length. He could thus be safely left to feed around for the distance 
which the rope would permit him to go. When the grass was cropped short in one place, the 
stake was removed to another. 

t Commoning time was the time fixed upon in the fall, after the crops had been removed, 
when all the owners in the common field turned in their cattle and horses for pasture. 



60 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

Jan 7"" 1706-7. The propriators agree y' when s'' feild shall be opened to turn 
in cattell it shall be but one moneth and then y* cattle kept out and pounded as in 
y« sum~er and y* men shall turn into s"* feild according to their intrist in it and 
no man to baight or stake in s*" field at no time but on his own land and takeing 
care of them and all j<. brake this order to haue their cattle pounded or delt with 
as trespasors. 

Four years afterward, (or March 6tli, 1710-11, " it was grd 
[agreed] on by note" tliat Tnoneth, (a common orthography of 
the day,) in the above record, " is intended for munth and 
with that amendation the act so stand yearly til the propriaters 
se cas [cause] to alter it." 

Yerily, our fathers were getting critical ! The former clerk ; 
had left town, and a wiser one had succeeded to his place. , 
The orthography of Thomas Judd, the schoolmaster, is cor- 
rected by his cousin, Thomas Judd, the smith I 

Y« propriators [Dec I'ith, 1704] granted liberty to any y' see cans to inclos in 
prticulor [to inclose his own land] for wheat or other corn 

This right was secured by statute. Any man might fence in 
his own land and thus improve it exclusively ; but he must in- 
close it at his own expense. If a man adjoining him chose to 
do the same thing, the division fence must be built by both in 
just proportion. 



i 



Desemb. the 8 17 07 it was uoated that nither hors nor cattel shold be baited or 
staked within the feeld from the fifteenth of april until the medows are clear 
furder it was uoted that each propriator shold put in cretures according to ther 
propotion of fence. 

In the fall season after the grass had been cut and the crops 
removed from the common field, it was the custom to turn in 
the " cattle, horses and sheep " for pasture. It was the 
practice to name the day on which the fields should be 
" cleared," and when the people might turn in their cattle, 
&c. This was late in September or early in October. " Com- 
moning time " was looked forward to wnth great interest. 
At the appointed time, early in the morning, or immedi- 
ately after sundown, the whole town was astir. All the four 
footed beasts that lived by grazing were brought out, driven 
in long procession to the meadow gates, and " turned in " to 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 61 

crop the fresli herbage. There they remained hixuriating and 
gathering fatness till the late autumnal frosts. The writer's 
recollections, extending back forty years, furnishes him with 
some refreshing scenes connected with the opening of the 
common field. Boys who used to drive the cows a mile to 
pasture, hailed the time with lively feelings. 

There was a law of the Colony, at an early date, requiring 
every town and plantation " to make and maintain a sufficient 
pound or pounds for the impounding and restraining of all 
such swine, horses, cattle and other creatures, as shall be found 
damage feasant, and swine found unringed or unyoked." But 
the first record of the "setting up " of a pound in Waterbury 
is the following: 

Genuary: 25''': 1702-3 y" town uoted y' there should be a pound set up in y« 
South highway sum where neare y« south gate y« spot where to be set out by y" 
townsmen 

The next year a pound was ordered near the west or common 
gate, and Deacon Thomas Judd, who lived hard by, was ap- 
pointed pound keeper. 

Decembr y* 1 2^1704 y* propriators gaue juds meadow men leaue to setup a 
pound for ym selues on their own charg for impounding their own cattel and such 
as are left out in y« field when men are at worck with them there 

In 1735, the inhabitants of ll^orthbury (now Plymouth) 
were authorized by the town to erect a pound at their own ex- 
pense ; and in Dec. 1749, ISTorthbury and Westbury (Water- 
town) had each " liberty to build a pound at town charge." In 
February, 1753, Andrew Bronson, who lived on the southwest 
corner of West Main and Willow streets, obtained the consent 
of the town to remove the pound near his house, " farther 
westward in the lane," he being at the expense. 

There must have been pounds, or yards, for the confinement 
of cattle, &c., before the early dates above mentioned, as the 
law required. Hay wards were appointed by the town in 1681. 
The pounds ordered to be set up in 1702-3 and 1704, were 
probably designed to take the place of one or more of more 
ancient date, which had gone to decay. 



62 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 



CHAP TEE YL 



INDIAN PURCHASES : INCORFORATION OF THE TOWN : SEQUESTER 
LANDS. 

On the 29tli day of April, 1684, certain Farmington Indians, 
(nine in number, including two squaws,) "in consideration of 
nine pounds already received, or good security for that pur- 
pose," granted to Serg. Thomas Judd and John Stanley, in the 
name and behalf of the proprietors of the township of Matta- 
tuck, an addition to the land which they formerly sold to 
Major Talcott, Mr. "Wadsworth, &c., and lying north of it. It 
extended north from the rock called Mount Taylor and an east 
and west line, to a tree marked by Captain Stanley and John 
ISTorton, Senr., being eight miles. The grant butted east on 
Farmington bounds, south on the former grant, (upon that 
which was foi-merly the Spinning Squaw's land,) west by a 
north and south line, which if extended south would run "four 
score rods from the easternmost part of Quasepaug Pond," north 
on the wilderness, an east and west line. 

This deed purports to have been given by "Patuckquoin 
the name and behalf and by order of Atumtockquo, Wa- 
wowas, Taphow, Judas, Mantow, Momantow's squaw, Mercy, 
Sequses (squaw,) and Quatowquechuck (Taphow's son.)" 

In the same year, on the second day of December, John 
Acompound, Hackatowsock and his squaw, Mantow, Warun- 
compound, Atumtocko, Spinning Squaw, Patuckco (squaw,) 
Sebockett, the same persons, for the most part, who are the 
grantors named in the deed of 1674, for " nine pounds in hand 
received or security sufficiently given," conveyed to the same 
party "one parcel of land at Mattatuck situated on each side 
of Mattatuck River, to extend from the said river three miles 
towards Woodbury," butting north on the rock called Mount 
Taylor, and a line running east and west from that point, east 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 63 

Oil Farmington bounds, the line running from the rock called 
tliG " Ordinary " south to Beacon Hill Brook, or Milford, or 
Xcw Haven bounds, south on Beacon Hill Brook and Pau- 
gasset, west on Pootatuck and Pomperaug. 

The tract of land here conveyed, it will be noticed, is the 
same, with a little more definite limits, as that granted in the 
deed of 1674. It was common in those times for the native 
proprietors to make claims to the lands which they had once 
sold, on the ground that they had been inadequately paid, or 
that they did not understand the import of their acts. 

Feb. 28th, 1684, (1685, new style,) Conquapatana (sagamore,) 
Awawas, Curan, Cocapadous, Tataracum, Kecasahum, Wen- 
untacum, Cocoeson, Wechamunck and Werumcaske (Cocoe- 
sen's sister,) Arumpiske (Curan's squaw,) Notamunck (Qur- 
an's sister,) twelve in number, of the Paugasset or Milford tribe 
of Indians, as I suppose, deeded to Thomas Judd and John 
Stanley, " per order and in the name and behalf of the pro- 
prietors of Mattatuck," " for divers causes and considerations 
thereunto moving and for the sum of six pound in hand," 
twenty parcels of land, " nine parcels on the east side of Nanga- 
tuck River southward from Mattatuck town, which comprises 
all the land below, betwixt Beacon Hill Brook and the hither 
end of Judd's meadows, called by the name of Sqontk, and 
from l^angatuck Eiver eastward to Wallingford and J^ew 
Haven bounds, with all the low lands upon the brook formen- 
tioned; and eleven parcels on the west side of the first parcel," 
having certain relations not easy to undeistand, to Cedar 
Swamp, the middle of Toamtick Pond, Quasepaug Pond, and 
Woodbury bounds ; at the north part, butting east on " Kau- 
gatuck or Mattatuck River," and at the south part, east on the 
lands first mentioned. These twenty parcels of land seem to 
have been contiguous tracts, each having a distinct Indian 
name given in the deed, and lying in the southern and south- 
western parts of the township. They are included, it will be 
observed, in the first' and third purchases from the Farming- 
ton Indians ; but were also claimed, it appears, by the Derby 
Indians. "Without inquiring very particularly into the justice 
of the claim, it was thought expedient to extinguish it by pur- 
chase. 



64 HISTOKY OF WATERBURT. 

On the 28tli day of June, 1711, Cockapatane, Sagamore of 
" Saugosset " and Tom Indian, his son, for twenty five shillings 
deeded to the proprietors of Waterbury "a small piece of 
land " north of Derby bounds, west of Naugatuck Kiver and 
south of Toantick Brook, 

Thus the limits of ancient Waterbury, as descril^ed by the 
several deeds from the Indians, extended from north to south 
eighteen miles, and from east to west, nine miles towards the 
northern line and six miles towards the south. 

The territory in question was all honestly purchased, most 
of it twice, and some of it three times. And it was bought 
not with baubles, but with hard cash. However it may have 
been in other cases, our ancestors did not get possession of 
their lands by robbery, or finesse. They were neither " filli- 
busters " nor cheats. What they had of this world's goods, 
which was but little, they paid for. Doubtless, those who 
conveyed their lands did not obtain possession by a method 
equally just. But it has been claimed that the Indian own- 
ers or occupants of the soil did not know the significance 
of a deed by which they parted with their titles, and could 
not comprehend the consequences of their acts.* But they 
did know what a sale meant. They did know in our case, 
(as there are the best reasons to believe,) as they signed 
the deeds with " marks uncouth," that they were selling 
their lands, and thus giving up the right of possession. 
And as for consequences, even the white purchasers had but 
the dimnest notions. Were they to wake up from their long 
sleep, and see what our eyes behold in the year 1857, their 
astonishment would be unmeasured. Nor was the price paid 
so entirely disproportionate to the thing bought. Sixty-three 
pounds — the amount of all the purchase money — was to the 
first planters of Waterbury, a large sum. It probably repre- 
sented as much wealth as the lands would have sold for at this 
day, had the country generally remained in the undisturbed 
possession of the savages. 

Civilization, industry, skill and thrift have made the Nauga- 

* Judge Church's Litchfield Centennial Address, p. 26. 











'^v Jlidds SKcado>v 



:-#^m- ^. 



/ ^ 



p- 



Broo^^ 



Mil ford 



'supers 
lew Haven 



THE OLD TOWI^SHIP 
OF IV^ATEKBIJRX. 



V 



rfatl 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 65 

atiick valley what it is. The wealth which exists here to day 
has been created by their agency. The soil has been subdued 
and improved, its incumbrances removed and its capacities 
developed. Fences, bridges, roads, railways, mill-dams, mills, 
factories, store houses and dwellings have been built. Quar- 
ries have been opened, swamps drained, stones removed and 
trees felled. Farms have been stocked with hoi-ses, horned 
cattle, sheep and swine. Superior grasses have been introduc- 
ed and orchards planted. The Indians did none of these 
things — transferred none. They conveyed the naked soil, 
(much of it literally naked,) without any improvements, and 
totally unfitted in its then natural state for the abode of civil- 
ized men. They sold that of which they had a superfluity, 
and which they were incapable of putting to profitable use. 
It was the smallest fraction of a continent running to waste, 
awaiting a purchaser and the application of capital. The 
value which population and cultivation, labor, skilled and un- 
skilled, invention, science, capital and commerce have given, 
should be kept distinct from natural and inherent value. The 
former our fathers did not purchase, and did not obtain, and 
for which it did not behoove them to pay. The latter they 
bought, and like honest men, paid for it. Tliey thought they 
gave a fair equivalent — more indeed, perhaps, than they would 
have been willing to give, had it not been for their ignorance 
of better lands, at cheaper rates, fartlier west, and in other 
localities. If they took advantage of the ignorance of the 
natives, they lost more, it may be plausibly said, by their own 
lack of information. At any rate, for many long years they 
apparently considered their bargain a hard one ; and most 
likely, had it not been for their improvements, would have 
abandoned the settlement. Many did so, glad to escape at any 
necessary sacrifice. 

The wild Indian is not the precise being he is represented 
in many works of romance. He has been painted as possess- 
ed of certain manly traits, and the truth of the likeness, illus- 
trated by certain examples. But his general character is quite 
the reverse. He is given to lying, cheating, thieving. He 
is lazy, thriftless, faithless, bloodthirsty. He lives like a rob- 
ber and a vagabond. His cunning and his courage are like 



DO HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

those that belong to certain beasts of prey. The only restraints 
he knows are those imposed by indolence and fear. Brought 
into contact with a civilized people, he learns all their vices, but 
not one of their virtues. He becomes a drunkard — an outcast. 
Every persistent attempt to civilize and Christianize him has 
resulted in the annihilation of the race. He is essentially, as 
is now generally admitted, untamable, as much so as certain 
wild animals. Attempts to improve him, do violence to his 
nature, and in a few generations sweep him out of existence. 
His character is essentially defective. He appears to lack the 
moral sentiments necessary to a higher life. These the appli- 
ances of civilization are inadequate to supply. I admit there 
is a diiierence in different tribes, and that various degrees of 
partial improvement, among certain Indian races, have some- 
times resulted from the efforts of philanthropists. IS'everthe- 
less, that the general fact is as stated, is undeniable. 

The Indian titles to the lands proposed to be included in the 
towmship being secured, the inhabitants of Mattatuck M^ere 
prepared for a town patent, or act of incorporation. They 
presented a petition to the General Court at the May session 
of 1685, praying for "a Patent for the confirmation of their 
lands unto the present proprietors." They chose Serg. Thomas 
Judd and Serg. John Stanley " Patentees to take out a Patten 
for the townsliip." Other names, however — those of Eobert 
Porter, Edmund Scott, Isaac Bronson and John Welton — are 
inserted in the instrument itself. 

Probably the application was made at this particular time 
on account of the critical condition of the Colony. James II 
had ascended the throne of England and nothing good was 
expected from his reign. There was some delay, however, in 
obtaining the patent. In the mean time, three successive 
writs of quo warranto* were served on the Governor and Com- 
pany of the Colony, and it became evident that the Charter 
was doomed. The inhabitants of Connecticut were of course 
greatly alarmed. The people of the different towns and settle- 
ments were in haste to get their land titles and town franchises 
secured by a patent from the local government, in anticipation 

* A warrant requiring the party summoneJ to appear in court and show by what authority 
the powers of government were exercised. 



HISTOKY OF WATERBUBY. 67 

of its dissolution. Thus they hoped to save themselves fi-om 
the extortionate demands of royal governors. The General 
Court had authorized the governor and secretary of the Col- 
ony, in May, 1685, " to give patents and deeds to the proprie- 
tors of every township of all lands and rights," &c. All the 
towns then existing availed themselves of the privilege, and 
the new plantation seized the opportunity to gain a similar 
grant. 

Mattatnck was invested with town privileges, in the nsual 
way. May, 1686. Here is the form :— 

This Court Grants that Mattatuck shall be and belong to the county of Hartford 
and the name of the plantation shall for the future be Waterbury. [May 13, 1686.] 

The new town took the name of Waterbury on account of 
its numerous rivers, rivulets, ponds, swamps, " boggy mead- 
ows " and wet lands. Bury is another way of spelling borough 
or burg, and signifies a dwelling place. It is a pity the beau- 
tiful old Indian name of Mattatuck was not retained. But 
our Puritan ancestors regarded these native words as heathen- 
ish, and were in haste to discard and forget them. Latterly, 
they have been in some cases revived and applied to the new 
towns, to corporations and various local institutions and objects. 
Our friends down the river showed their good sense when they 
called their new town Naugatuck, (another beantiful name,) 
where the second settlement in the valley was made. 

Sir Edmund Andros, of charter memory, arrived in Boston, 
Dec. 1686. Waterbury's patent was issued soon after, bearing 
date Feb. Sth, 1686-Y." 

Whereas the Generall Court of Connecticut haue formerly Granted unto the 
inhabitants of Waterbury all those lands within these abutments viz upon New 
Haven in part & Milford in part & Derby in part on the south & upon Woodbury 
in part & upon the comons in part on the west & upon Comon land on the 
North: & east in part upon farmington Bounds & in part upon the comons & from 
the South to the north line extends Thirteen Miles in length & from farmington 
Bounds to Woodbury about nine Miles breadth at the North & some what less at 
the South end the sayd lands hauing been by purchass or otherwise lawfully ob- 
tayned of the native proprietors, And whereas the proprietors Inhabitants of Wa- 
terbury in the colony of Connecticut in Newcngland haue made application to the 
Governor & company of the sayd colony of Connecticut assembled in Court the 
fourteenth of may one Thousand Six Hundred & Eighty fine that they may haue 
a patent for the confirmation of the afoarsayd lands as it is Butted & Bounded 



68 HISTORY OF WATEEBURT. 

afoarsayd unto the present proprietors of the sayd Township of "Waterbury which 
they haue for some years past enjoyed without Interruption Now for more full 
confirmation of the premises & afoarsayd Tract of land as it is butted and Bound- 
ed afoarsayd unto the present proprietors of the Township of Waterbury Know 
yee that the sayd GoV & company assembled in Generall Court according to the 
commission granted to them by our late Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second 
of the blessed Memory in his letters patent bearing date the Three & Twentyeth 
day of April in the fourteenth year of his Sayd Ma''e» Reigne haue given and 
Granted & by these presents doe giue grant rattify & confirm unto Thomas Judd 
John Standly Robert Porter Edmund Scott Isaac Brunson John Wilton & the rest 
of the proprietors Inhabitants of the Towne of Waterbury & their heirs & assigns 
forever & to each of them in such proportion as they haue already agreed upon 
for the diuision of the Same all that a foarsayd Tract of land as it is butted and 
Bounded together with all the woods uplands arable lande meadows pastures ponds 
waters Riuers fishings foulings mines Mineralls Quarries & precious Stones upon 
and within the sayd Tract of lands with all other profits and comodities there- 
unto belonging or in any wise appertaining & we doe also Grant unto the afore 
named Thomas Judd John Standly Robert Porter Edmund Scott Isaac Brunson 
John Wilton, & the rest of the p'sent proprietors Inhabitants of Waterbury 
there heirs and assigns foreuer, that the foresayd Tracts of land shall be foreuer 
hereafter deemed reputed & be an Intire Township of it Selfe to haue & to hold 
the sayd Tract of lands & premises with all & Singular their appurtenances 
together with the priviledges, Immunities & franchises herein given & granted 
to the sayd Thomas Judd John Stanly Robert Porter Edmund Scott Isaac 
Brunson John Wilton & others the present proprietors Inhabitants of Wa- 
terbury their heirs assigns & to the only proper use and behoofe of the 
sayd Thomas Judd John Standly Robert Porter Edmund Scott Isaac Brunson 
John Wilton & the other proprietors Inhabitants of Waterbury their heirs 
& assignes forever according to the Tennore of his Ma''«» Manor of East 
Greenwich in the County Kent in the Kingdom of England in fee & common 
soccage & not in capitee nor Knight seruice they yeilding & paying therefore to 
our Soverigne Lord the King his heirs & successors onely the fifth part of all 
the oare of Gold & Silver which from time to time & at all times hereafter shall be 
there gotten had or obtained in Lue of all rents services dutys & demands what- 
soever according to the charter in witness whereof we have here unto affixed the 
seal of the Colony this eighth of febuary in the Third year of the reign of s"* 
Soueraigne lord James the Second by the grace of God of England Scotland france 
& Ireland King defender of the fay the of o"' Lord 1686: 
Pr order of the Generall Court of Connecticut 

John Alltn Secret'y 

At the May session of the General Court, in 1703, the Wa- 
terbury patent, as well as the patents of the other towns in the 
Colony, was confirmed in the following act : 

Whereas the Court did authorize May 14, 1685, the Governor & Secretary of 
the Colony to give Patents or deeds to the proprietors of every township [&c] of 
all lands & rights [&c] & did ratify all sequestrations, and donations, [&c.] it is 
hereby enacted that the several above mentioned lands with all the rights [&c.] 



HISTORY OE WATERBURY. 69 

contained in the above mentioned Patients shall be & remain full & clear estate to 
the Proprietors of the respective towns mentioned [&c.] &the lands sequestered & 
given to public and pious uses shall remain forever for the same, [&c.] 

At the October session of 1720, the proprietors of "VVater- 
biiry petitioned that a new " deed of release and quit claim of 
and in the lands within the town may be granted and be signed 
and sealed by the Honorable the Governor and the Secre- 
tary." The petition was granted and a patent furnished in a 
more approved and ample form. 

One reason for this new deed appears to have been the neg- 
lect to enter the names of all the proprietors, the grantees, in 
the former deed. Other reasons were probably found in the 
irregular practices and informal proceedings of the pro- 
prietors in disposing of their lands, hereafter to be noticed. 
The original patent, in the hand writing of Mr. Southmayd, 
(except the date and signatures,) is in the writer's possession : 

To all people to whom these presents shall come, the Governor and Company of 
the English Colony of Connecticut, in New England in America, send, Greeting, &c. 

Know Ye, that whereas all the lands contained within these abutments. Viz. 

beginning at a certain chestnut tree marked and stones about it, which is Water- 
bury's south west corner and Woodljury's south east corner, thence running north- 
ward thirteen miles to a small white oak tree marked with divers letters, and a heap of 
stones about it, which tree is Waterbury's north west corner and Woodbury's 
north east corner, thence running east eight miles till it strikes Farmington bounds, 
thence running south to the south west corner of Farmington bounds, thence east 
till it comes upon WaUingford bounds, and from thence a straight line to a certain 
chestnut tree, known by the name of the three sisters, which tree is Waterbury's 
south east corner, & Wallingford's south west corner, New Haven's north west 
corner, and Milford's north east corner, thence westerly a mile and six score rods 
to Milford's north west corner, thence south to Beacon Brook, thence westward as 
the brook runs, to a great rock marked on the west side of Naugatuck River, 
thence a straight line to the twelve mile stake, thence west to forementioned tree 
which is Waterbury's south west corner and Woodbury's south east corner, and 
is about five miles and a half in breadth at the south end of the bounds, butting 
west on Woodbury, north in part on Litchfield and in part on country land, to 
the east in part upon Farmington and in part upon WaUingford, to the south in 
part upon Milford and in part upon Derby. — Were purchased and lawfully obtain- 
ed of the Indian native proprietors, and have been possessed and improved, for 
the space of more than forty years, by the persons whose names are hereafter 
mentioned, being present inhabitants and proprietors of Waterbury, in the Coun 
ty of Hartford and Colony of Connecticut aforesaid. 

And Whereas King Charles the second, our late sovereign lord of England, &c., 
by letters patent, under the great seal of England, by writ of privy seal, bearing 
date the twenty eight day of April, in the fourteenth year of his reign, did give 



70 HISTORY OF WATEKBUET. 

and grant and confirm unto us the said Governor and Company all the lands with- 
in the Colony aforesaid, in which those lands are included, and the said Governor 
and Company did in the year one thousand six hundred and eighty five, May the 
fourteenth, grant letters patent for the land above &^ to Thomas Judd, Esq., John 
Stanley, Edmund Scott Isaac Bronson, and John Welton, and others the then in- 
habitants of Waterbury, whose names should have been then enrolled but were 
not, — For this and other reasons and good causes, the said Thomas Judd, Esq., 
and other the inhabitants, proprietors of "Waterbury, now moving to us the Gov- 
ernor and Company in general court assembled, for the more sure making and 
firm establishing of the rights to us given of the lands aforesaid unto them accord- 
ing to the several descents, devises, grants, divisions, agreements, to them fallen, 
given, made, concluded, purchased, or purchases by them made or procured, ac- 
cording to, or as are, to be found in their town records, from time to time, as they 
come to the said Thomas Judd, and all other the inhabitants, proprietors of "Wa- 
terbury, whose names are hereafter declared, and whereby their several rights, 
proprieties and properties and proportions are distinguished whether holden by 
them in fee simple or fee tail, or considered for fife, or lives, or years, in severalty, 
or as tenants, joint-tenants, or as partners — 

Noiv Know Ye that we the said Governor and Company in General Court assem- 
bled, by virtue of the letters patent, to us given by our sovereign lord King Charles 
the second, of happy, blessed memory, have granted, remised, released and quitted 
claim, and by these presents, do fully and absolutely for us and our successors, 
give, grant, remise, release, and altogether for us and our successors, quit claim, 
ratify, approve and confirm in the quiet and peaceable and firm seizin and posses- 
sion of the said Thomas Judd, Esq., John Stanley, Edmund Scott, Isaac Bronson, 
John Welton, Capt. Thomas Judd, Esq., John Southmayd, Timothy Stanley, John 
Hopkins, Abraham Andruss, Sen., John Richards, Edmund Scott, the heirs of 
Abraham Andruss, Jr., the heirs of John Newell, the heirs of John Carrington, 
the heirs of Daniel "Warner, John Scovill, Sen., Thomas Judd, the heirs of Joseph 
Gaylord, the heirs of John Bronson, Daniel Porter, Sen., the heirs of Philip Judd, 
Thomas Newell, Jeremiah Peck, Jonathan Scott, Sen., Richard Porter, Stephen 
Upson, Sen., the School, the Parsonage, Samuel Stanley, Isaac Bronson, "William 
Hickox, Thomas Hickox, Samuel Scott, Ephraim "Warner, Thomas Upson, Thomas 
Andruss, John Bronson, Thomas Richards, Sen., John Barnes, Benjamin Warner, 
Thomas Bronson, Ebenezer Bronson, Samuel Porter, Obadiah Scott, the heirs of 
Thomas Welton, George Welton, the heirs of Stephen Welton, Ebenezer Hickox, 
Jr., Stephen Upson, Jr., the heirs of John Richards, Jr., Thomas Barnes, Samuel 
Warner, Sen., John Scovill, Jr., Ebenezer Richason, Thomas Clark, George Scott, 
Jr., David Scott, Sen., Jonathan Scott, Jr., John Welton, Jr., the heirs of John 
Richason, Stephen Hopkins, Joseph Lewis, William Judd, Daniel Porter, Jr., the 
heirs of John Judd, Timothy Hopkins, George Scott, Sen., Joshua Peck, Richard 
Welton, Benjamin Warner, Sen., Daniel Shelton, Joseph Prime, Josiah Piatt, 
James Fenn, Moses Blachly, [Blakeslee,] John Prout, Thomas Furney, [Turney,] 
Joseph Moss, Israel Moss, Richard Bronson, the heirs of Samuel Howard, Eliza- 
beth Wilson, Joseph Birdsey, the heirs of Thomas Richason, John Read, James 
Brown, the heirs of Serg. Jamuel Hickox, Hezekiah Rew, Ebenezer Hickox, Sen., 
Samuel Mix, Silvanus Baldwin, James Blachly, [Blakeslee,] Samuel Barn^es, James 
Poisson, Samuel Warner, the heirs of Obadiah Richards, the heirs of Obadiah 






HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 71 

Scovill, John Stanley, the whole light, title and claim which we have in or unto all 
the above said tract of land, bounded as abovesaid, with all the buildings, fences, 
orchards, trees, wood, timber, underwood, stones, precious stones, quarries, mines, 
minerals, lands, uplands, pastures, marshes, arable lands, meadows, swamps, rivers, 
brooks, creeks, ponds, springs, waterings, islands, upon or within the above said tract 
of land, and with the rights, members, appurtenances, hereditaments, and the rever- 
sion and reversions, remainder and remainders, royalties, privileges, whatsoever, of 
into, within and out of the premises, and any and every part and parcel of the same, 
to them and every of them, their heirs and assigns forever, according to their and 
each of their several parts, portions, proportions, shares, rights and interests, in, 
of and unto the lands above described, to be distinguished according to their 
several descents, devises, grants, divisions, agreements, and purchases, as of record 
appeareth, and by records of said town of Waterbury may be seen, (reference 
thereunto being had,) in this instrument — To have and to hold, to them 
the said Thomas Judd, Esq., John Stanley, Edmund Scott, Isaac Bronson, John 
Welton, Capt. Thomas Judd, John Southmayd, Timothy Stanley, John Hopkins 
and all others, the inhabitants, proprietors of Waterbury, whose names have been 
above declared, and to their and each of their heirs, according to each one's 
several proportions aforesaid, to their proper use, benefit and behalf for ever. 

And whereas, there is in the actual seizin and possession of the said Thomas 
Judd, John Stanley and others, the inhabitants and proprietors of Waterbury, 
sundry lands within the limits above described, called and known by the name of 
sequestered lands, sequestered by vote of the town of Waterbury and reserved 
for the town's use, intended to be improved and used by the inhabitants of said 
town as commonage, for the common and general feeding of cattle, for firewood, 
timber, stone, and any and all other the profits and conveniences thereof, without 
any regard to the distinction of shares, rights, proportions of interests, or property in 
the said lands — therefore upon motion made to us by the said present proprietors 
of Waterbury — We the Governor and Company of the English Colony of Connect- 
icut, in New England, in America, in General Court assembled, do for ourselves 
and our successors, fully, freely and absolutely, remise, release, quit claim, ratify, 
approve and confirm, in the quiet and peaceable and firm seizen and possession of 
the said Thomas Judd, John Stanley, Isaac Bronson, John Welton, Capt. Thomas 
Judd, John Southmayd, Timothy Stanley, John Hopkins, and all other the pres- 
ent proprietors, inhabitants of Waterbury, as have been before named — the whole 
right, title and claim that we have had, or have in or unto the said sequestered 
lands above described, limited and bounded, as the records of the town of Wa- 
terbury will more fully show, (reference thereunto being had,) To have and to 
hold, to them the said Thomas Judd, John Stanley and others the proprietors 
above named, their heirs, successors and assigns, in equal proportion, as town 
commons, to be ever improved, used and occupied by them, the parties above 
named, their successors and assigns, in the way and manner above set forth, 
(which was the design and intent of the first sequestration,) without any distinc- 
tion and particular Hmitation of the yearly and constant profits arising therefrom 
to the several proprietors among themselves, and never to be impropriated, grant- 
ed, divided, or taken up in severalty, until three quarters of the proprietors, inhabit- 
ants of Waterbury, shall agree thereunto. 

The whole of what is in this instrument above released, quit claimed and con- 
firmed, To hold of his Magesty, his heirs and successors, according to the tenor of 



72 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

his Magesty's Manor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in that part of 
the Kingdom of Great Britian formerly called England, in free and common soc- 
cage, rendering, yielding and paying therefor to our sovereign lord the King, his 
heirs and successors, for ever, only the fifth part of all the oar of gold and silver 
which, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, shall be gotten and obtained, 
in lieu of all services, duties and demands whatsoever, according to the charter of 
us the said Governor and Company granted, without any manner of claim, chal- 
lenge, or demand whatsoever, to be had or made by us, or our successors, in any 
manner of wise — 

In witness whereof, we have caused the seal of the said Colony to be hereunto 
affixed, this twenty eighth day of October anno Domo. one thousand, seven hun- 
dred and twenty, in the '7"' year of the i-eign of our sovereign lord George of 
Great Britain, France and Ireland, King. 

G. Saltonstall Gov'. 

Hez. Wyllys. Secretary. 

It is manifestly the intention of the above deed to enumer- 
ate, as grantees, eitlier individually or as the heirs of certain 
persons, all those who, at the time, were owners of land, (or 
who had titles of land,) divided and undivided, in the town of 
Waterbury. Viewed in this light, the catalogue is full of in- 
terest. The five patentees of 1686 are mentioned in the begin- 
ning. Three of them were deceased. With the exception of 
these and of those persons whose " heirs " are referred to, the 
individuals named were living at the time. Several of them 
(most of those bearing unfamiliar names) M'ere non-resident 
landholders. The following persons were not (and never had 
been) residents of the town : 

Silvanus Baldwin of Milford, Joseph Birdsey, James Blachly of New Haven, 
afterwards of Litchfield and Waterbury, Moses Blachly of New Haven, afterwards 
of Waterbury, Richard Bronson of Woodbury, James Brown of New Haven, after- 
wards of Waterbury, James Fenn of Milford, Samuel Howard (heirs,) Samuel 
Mix of New Haven, Israel Moss of Derby, Joseph Moss of Derby, Josiah Piatt of 
Milford, James Poisson, Joseph Prime of Milford, (Capt.) John Prout of New 
Haven, John Reed of " Lonetown," Fairfield County, Hezekiah Rew of Milford, 
Daniel Shelton of Stratford and Ripton, Thomas Turney of New Haven, Elizabeth 
Wilson of Hartford, (who held a mortgage on land of John Welton, Jr.) 

The patents, it will be observed, make Waterbury thirteen 
miles in length. As for breadth, that of 1686 describes it as 
nine miles at the northern part, and somewhat less at the 
south ; while that of 1720 speaks of it as eight miles broad at 
the north, and five and a half at the south end. These descrip- 
tions very essentially curtail the limits of the town, as they 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 73 

are set forth by the Indian deeds. Probably it was the inten- 
i tion of tlie grantors, in thus describing the boundaries of the 
I town, to avoid the possibility of encroaching on adjoining 
grants. It bordered on neighboring towns the limits of which 
had not yet been certainly determined. In truth, nobody 
knew, at the early dates of which I am speaking, how much 
territory there was that lay north of the Derby line and be- 
tween the Farmington and Wallingford bounds on the east 
and the Woodbury bounds on the west. As the limits of Wa- 
terbury wei-e finally settled, the town extended from north to 
south, on a meridian line, seventeen miles, and from east to 
west, at its broadest part, nine miles. Towards the southern 
extreinity its sides approached, so that on the Derby and Mil- 
ford border it was but about five and a quarter miles across. 
Its average length may have been sixteen miles, and its aver- 
age breadth, eight and one third miles. It could not have 
contained less than one hundred and thirty-three square miles, 
or eighty-five thousand acres. These, divided equally among 
the thirty-six original proprietors, would have given twenty- 
three hundred and seventy acres of land to each — a pretty fair 
landed estate. 

The limits of the old town, as above defined, comprehend 
the present towns of Waterbury, Watertown and Plymouth, 
half of Wolcott, a small part of Oxford, the greater por- 
tion of Middlebury, more than a third of Prospect, and nearly 
the whole of Naugatuck, This tract of territory, which a com- 
mittee of the colonial government estimated as sufiicient to 
maintain thirty families, now contains a j)opulation of (say) 
fourteen thousand souls. 

In consequence of the lack of fixed landmarks, in the original 
deeds and patents of the township, "Waterbury was involved 
in frequent, protracted and expensive controversies, (which 
were sometimes carried to the Assembly or the courts,) with the 
bordering towns. Throughout its entire boundaries, in fact, 
there seem to have been but three points which were fixed, 
and assented to from an early period. These were the " three 
sisters," (the southeast corner,) the mouth of Beacon Hill 
Brook, and a point " four score rods from the eastermost part 
of Quassepaug Pond," on the Woodbury road. The length of 



74 HISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 

but a single line, (and that a short one,) was given, till afterj 
the patent of 1720. This line ran " westerly " (that is, in some 
direction, towards the Avest) one mile and six score rods. H 
began at the " three sisters," a point which had been settlec 
as the Waterburj southeast corner before 1720. 

The following extracts from the colonial and town records 
show (in part) what was done, from time to time, in way of 
settling the boundaries between Waterbury and other towns : 

May ye; 18: 1680: thes presents may srtefy y^ gen'i Court or whom it may con- 
sern y' we y^ agents of derby being desired and appointed by y« inhabitants of 
our town y« 30"^ of aprill (1680) hauing full pour to conclude a loyn place or pla" 
cos of bounds: depending betwixt mattatock and derby and make a final issue of 
y" matter before it corns to y« generall court and we y® agents of mattatock Wil. 
liam iudd Thomas Judd and iohn standly iur: being appointed by our committy to 
gain a complyance with our freinds ioseph haukins and able gun according to y< 
tenor of y« premises so fare as it concerns these two plantations we do agree y' s( 
y« generall court may giue their sanction upon it, do by theis presents determine 
betwein us as follows, y' y® south bounds of mattatock do begin at a stack at 
derbe twelue miles end and from y' stack to extend a west loyn where derby and 
mattatock shall meet Woodbury bounds and from y' stake afores*" att the end of 
derbe twelue miles to go with a straight loyn to a ston marcked with: m: on y* 
nortli sid and: d: on y« south sid lying on y^ west s"* nagatock or mattatock riuer 
and from y' ston to y* mouth of bccon hill brook where it falls into nagatock or 
mattatock riuer and y' brook to be y« deuident loyn east ward between mattatock 
and derby and this agreement is a finall issue or a full settell ment of y« s** bounds 
of mattatock and derby which is to all intents and purposes binding to them their 
heirs assigns and sucsesors as witness our hands y^ day and date aboue men- 
tioned. 

derby agents Mattatock agents 

Joseph hawkins William iudd 

Able gun: Thomas iudd 

John standly iur 

To all whom it may concern be it known y we herevnto subscribing as agents 
in ye behalf of y* Plantations of woodbury and mattatock by ye motion of hon- 
ourable freinds and weighty arguments as hereunto inducing haue had a meeting 
upon ye 29''' of iune 1680: in order to ye setling of boundarys betwein ye s<i two 
plantations and do fully and unanimosly agree and consent as foloweth uiz that 
there be a loyn run du east from ye westermost part of ye bounds agreed and 
concluded between mattatock and derby to mattatock riuer and so y' loyne to be 
run from ye s** riuer too miles and twelue scor rods due west and then a loyn 
from ye eastermost part of ye great pond commonly called or known by y* name 
of quassapaug from such a part of ye pond as by us already agreed on four score 
rods due east and then a straight loyn from ye four score rod to ye a fore sd west 
corner betwein derby and mattatock and from ye afore sd coner or four scor rod 
due east from ye forsd pond ye bounds is agreed and concluded to run due north 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



75 



to ye extent northward of each plantations bounds and y. this our mutall agree- 
ment and firm settellment of y^ deuident bounds betwein our plantations as aforesd 
is signified by our subscribing hereunto this twenty umth day of iune in y« yeir of 
our lord sixteen hundred and eyghty. 

Thomas Judd John Minor 

Isriell Curtis WilUam Judd 

John Standly iur Joseph Judson 

May 1(581. This Court haue granted that the bounds for the plantation of mat- 
tatuck shall runn eight miles north from the town plott, as their stated bounds and 
doe confirme and rattify the boundaryes agreed upon by Mattatuck and Wood- 
bury plantations and the boundaries agred upon between Mattatuck and Derby 
inhabitants, which more at large is sett down in their subscribed papers by the 
hands of the committees appoynted by each plantation and Mattatock bounds ou 
the east shall be upon Farmington bounds.* 

^ .ill_3th=i703. Wee agree as followeth for boundrys betwein derby and 
wlterbury to run west ward from y^ marked ston or ye west sd y« riuer to a stone 
or rock on y« straight mountain with stones layd on it and to run a straight loyn 
to ye twelue mile stake and then run west from s^ stake by marke^ trees and sta- 
tions T a red oak with stones layd at ye botom 2 ly a white oake 3 ly a red oake 
at ye noreast s'' of to antick pond 4 ly a white oake on a long redg of rocks south 
west from toantick pond 

for Waterbury for derby 

Timothy Stanly Ebenezer Johnson 

John hopkins henery Woster 

obadiah Richards Edward Rigs 

We hereunto subscribing agents for Woodl)ury and Waterbury met together 
March 26th, 1744, and began at the known boundary east of Quassepaug pond 
and ran a liLe north two degrees west a straight line up to a stake with a heap of 
stones about it the north east corner of Woodbury bounds, and the north west 
corner of Waterbury bounds, and haue erected monuments in about eighty rods 
distance on s'* line, which monuments are described by marking trees near to them 

Ephraim Minor ) Agents Samuel Hickox ) Agents for 

Thomas Knowls I for William Judd MVaterbury 

Timothy Hinman ) Woodbury 

April the 23\ 1765. We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being by the 
towns of Milford and Waterbury appointed to settle the north and west lines be- 
tween the towns of Milford and Waterbury, with the assistance of two county 
surveyors for the County of New Haven— we began at the three sisters New Haven 
north west corner, Milford north east corner, Waterbury south east [corner] with 
Milford and from said corner we ran a due west line one mile and six score rods 
and made monuments once in eighty rods and at the end of said Une we made a 
heap of stones by a white oak staddle, then southward forty eight rods to Derby 
north east corner, the south side of Beacon Hill River, which lines we do agree 



* Copied from Cothren's Woodbury, Vol. I, p. 



7G HISTORY OF WATERBUEY, 



1 



and establish to be the lines between the towns of Milford and Waterbury. Sign- 
ed in Waterbury, upon the above date, by us 

John Lewis ^ David Baldwin ^ 

o^ 1 T' T ( ^^ ateilnn-v x- *; i i? i ( Milford 

Stephen Lpson, Jr. )- JSath' larrand >• 

_, -VT. , , \ Connnitttec t>i ■ i. t> i \ Committee 

George Nichols } Phinehas Peck ; 

Marcli 27, 1768, the selectmen of Derby and Waterbury 
met at the twelve mile stake, and measured easterly to Beacon 
Hill Brook and westerly across Toantick Pond to the Wood- 
bury line, giving distances and points of compass. 

It was customary with the old towns, in obedience to tli< 
statutes provided in such cases, to appoint a committee of twg 
or more persons, annually, whose duty it was, in concert with 
adjoining towns, " to perambulate the bounds," in the month 
of March or April, and " to renew the monuments," or bound- 
marks, which were usually heaps of stones at the corners, 
and once in eighty rods in the lines. It was usual also to mark 
the trees and sometimes the stones, as guides to those who 
might follow. The penalty for neglect to perambulate wag 
five pounds. During the controversy with Farmington, about 
the dividing line, Waterbury passed a vote that it would not 
perambulate with her, but preferred to pay the fine. This-was 
in April, I7i8. 

Previous to February, 1680-81, all legitimate authority in 
the aifairs of the settlement centered in, and emanated from, 
the grand committee. At this time, however, they relieved 
themselves of some of their responsibilities, and conferred 
certain powers and privileges, relating to local administration, 
upon the people themselves. 

A meeting of the comity for mattatuck febey 5 1680 att farmington itt was then 
determined by vs that thos towne ofesers that are chosen by the in habitants of sd 
mattatuck shall execut their respectiue ofeses and that for the futur the inhabit- 
ants of the place being orderly called and conuened by their maj' voat shall haiie 
liberty to chus their Tounsmen Constables suruayors fence viewers and haywards 
or any other siuel ofesers from time to time without any further order from the 
Comity. 

In 1682, the committee farther determined that the inhab- 
itants should have power to make regulations concerning the 
impounding ot cattle. 

After these dates, the committee, having got the infant town 
upon its legs, as they conceived, gradually withdrew from the 



IIISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 77 

Imanagement of its aftairs. They now " advised," in cases in 
which thev formerly " ordered." They continued, however, 
to make proprietors, to regulate the conditions of preprietor- 
sliip, to determine questions of forfeiture, and to make special 
grants of land for the common good, &c. The acts of the 
proprietors relating to these matters had no force until approv- 
ed by them. Their powers did not terminate, nor were their 
duties entirely at an end, till the incorporation of the town. 
In October, 1685, their number had been reduced by death to 
two, a minority of the original committee. The General 
Court authorized the survivors to continue their functions, as 
follows : 

Oct. 1685. This Court appoint Major Talcott and Mr. Wadsworth to continue 
their powers as Committee for Mattatuck, notwithstanding the death of some of 
their number. 

Tlie last official act of the committee which I have met with 
on our records is one relating to " the way of raising rates for 
defraying of the public charges," dated Dec. 26, 1685. It is 
an " order," signed only by Major Talcott, though it runs in 
the name of " we." There is, however, a " request and desire," 
signed by the " friend and servant [of the proprietors] John 
Wadsworth," dated Sept. 9, 1687, which asks that an oversight 
in laying out land may be corrected. 

At an early 23eriod, the proprietors, noticing that their lands, 
which were most valuable and conveniently situated, were 
gradually passing into the hands of individuals and beyond 
the control of the people at large, determined to provide against 
the possible evils which might result. They reserved certain 
large tracts for future occasions and the common good. 

Geneu: S"* 86 y^ Town by uoate granted y' all y« bogey meadows east from yo 
town fence too miles north and southward from y® town shall be sequestered for 
common lands and too miles east from y" afore sd fenc. 

Another vote appears afterwards to have been passed, on 
the same day, which sequestered all the lands in the limits 
mentioned, making them common lands. 

Gen: 3: 86 ye town detrmined y' all y* land on ye east sid y^ fenc Round to y® 
Mill Riuer so to y* east mountain we say to dauids brook and to y^ east mountain 
all y® land in y' compas to be and belong as common land 

Several years afterwards, still another vote was passed, de- 
signed apparently to extend and explain the preceding. 



78 HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 

Gcnuory y* 6''>^17o|- y« propriators sequestercil for y* use of y« town too 
miles from y« going down of y* hill beyond Thomas hikcox* hous east and then 
from it too miles north and too miles south and then to run at each end west to 
y« common fence. 

Tliese votes gave origin to the terms sequester and seques- 
tered lands, on our records. The territory described lay eastj 
of the village, being two miles broad from east to west and, 
four long. It was not regularly surveyed till April, 1716, when- 
Lieut. Timothy Stanley and William Ilickox were appointed 
to lay it out. It was set aside, irrevocably, for public uses, its 
benefits to be enjoyed by the inhabitants in common, without, 
any reference to proprietory ownership. In the divisions and 
grants that were made, from time to time, no one had a right 
to locate his lands within its boundaries. It furnished pastur- 
age, fire-wood, timber, stone, &c., for all, as they stood in need.. 
In several instances, when the public interest was likely to b( 
promoted, grants of it were made to individuals on conditions. 

In process of time, it w-as found that lands layed out, on the 
supposed sequester line, overlapped and encroached uj^on the 
sequestered territory, thus giving origin to conflicting claims. 
To settle the difficulty, the proprietors voted, in 1763, that all 
lands laid out near the reputed line of sequester, should remain 
good. 

The sequester lands were kept sacred for many years, or 
were granted in small parcels for a common good. At length, 
however, they acquired value, and it was not so easy to keep 
the hands oflT them. Eight acres were distributed to each 
proprietor in 1715. In 1733, a vote was passed to have a reg- 
ular division ; but at a subsequent meeting, it was thought 
" likely to be very prejudicial to the town " and " very imprac- 
tica])le ;" so the former vote was reconsidered. In January, 
1738-9, however, it was again concluded by the proprietors, 
to liave a division of the sequestered land. One quarter of an 
acre on each pound propriety was distributed. Tliis operation 
was repeated in 1759 and afterwards, till the reserved lands 
were exhausted. I have not succeeded in finding the evidence 
that these acts of the proprietors were in conformity to the 

♦Thomas Ilickox's house stood on East Main street, near tlie house of the late Dr. Joseph 
Porter. 



IIISTOEY OF AVATEKBUKT. 79 

Assembly's confirming act of 1703, and to the town patent of 
1720. By the confirming act " the lands sequestered and 
given to public and pious uses [were to] remain forever for the 
same ;" w^hile the patent declared that the sequestered lands, 
so called, should " never be impropriated, granted, divided, or 
taken up in severalty, until three quarters of the proprietors 
shall agree thereunto." In the recorded votes ordering the 
divisions which have been referred to, nothing is said about 
" three quarters of the proprietors " being in the major vote. 

Other tracts of land were sequestered at different times, to 
prevent a too rapid appropriation by individuals. There was a 
large tract in the northwest quarter, next the Woodbury line, 
at a place which became known as " the Yillage," and after- 
wards as " Garnsey Town," which was thus reserved, (I know 
not when.) It embraced some of the more valuable lands of 
the town. It was finally divided among the proprietors, the 
first division being in Nov. 1722. 

March 13th, 1733, a tract of land in the northwest quarter, 
" one mile and a half each way from the centre," was seques- 
tered for the town's use. The ti'act embraced the present vil- 
lage of Watertown. Soon, however, the restriction was taken 
off this territory. 



CHAPTER YII. 



MILLS. 



In all new settlements, mills for grinding grain and sawing 
logs are considered as things of the first necessity. They are 
a part of the labor-saving machinery which civilization in- 
vented at an early period. They perform the work of many 
men, and do it more perfectly than it can be done by hand. 



80 mSTOEY OF WATERBURY. 

Food and shelter arc the first thin<^s to be provided for in a 
new country, and these mills are almost essential in the pre- 
paration of the materials. Corn can be pounded in a mortar, 
or cruslied between stones ; but it is a severe task, and none but ^ 
a primitive people will long submit to. it. Dwellings can bei 
made mainly of logs prepared by an axe, with the assistance] 
of clay and straw for the roof; but boards and other "sawed 
stuff" are almost essential for floors, doors, t%c. Our fathers, 
when they first came to this place, must needs go to Farming- 
ton for all their mill-work, Tliey must travel a distance of 
twenty miles through a pathless wilderness, or waste their la- 
bor in imperfect attempts to supply their wants at home. The 
only way to escape from tliis alternative was to provide mills 
of their own. 

The State's committee, at an early period, took this matter 
into consideration, and under date of Nov. 27th, 16Y9, advised 
as follows : 

We doe advise the inhabitants to build a sufficient corn mill for the rse of the 
towne and keepe the same in good reparation for the same for the worck and 
servis of grinding corne and for incoragment we grant such persons shall haue 
thirty [acres] of land layd out and shall be and remain to them and their heirs 
and Asigns for euer he or they maintaining the said grist mflle as aforsaid for 
ever. 

Soon after, Stephen Hopkins of Hartford, erected a mill on 
Mill River (so called from tliis use of it) '4or grinding corne." 
It stood where the Scovill Manufacturing Company's rolling 
mill now is, where a grain mill has ever since remained until 
within the last twenty-five years or so. The mill being built, 
the committee awarded to Hopkins the grant which he had 
become entitled to, and added to it a house lot of two acres, a 
three acre lot and a £100 allotment. I quote from the record, 
under date of Feb. 5th, 1G80, (1681, N. S.) 

It is further concluded that steuen Hopkins who hath builte a mile att that 
plantation [mattatuck] shall haue that thirty acrs apointed and intailed in a former 
order to such as shall erect a inille theare and so much more land aded to the 
sayd thirty acrs as may aduance the same to be in value of one hundred pound 
alotment 

There is allso a house lott containing in estimation to acrs granted steuen 
Hopkins as conuenantly as may be to suit the mile and the for said Thomas Judd 
and John Stanly and the present townsmen to lay itt out to him and allso a thre 
acre lott: acording as the other inhabitants haue granted to be laved out by these 
same persons for him 





C <^7-i^'~'^'^^ 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 81 

Aferwards, (Aug. 8, 1682.) the town, in order to carry out 
the intentions of the committee in relation to the " hundred 
pound allotment," 

Granted to Stephen Hopkins that alotment which was Decon Langton's with the 
prouision that one half of the said alotment shall be intailed to the mill as the 
thirty acres is, in case the committy grant the same, causing the said Hopkins to 
subscribe as other inhabytants haue don: prouid [ed] also this grant fre us from all 
former iniagments respecting the miliars Lott 

This action of the proprietors was ratified bj the committee, 
February 6th, 1682, (1683 N. S. ;) but John Hopkins, " the 
present miller," who was the son of Stephen, was named as 
the grantee. This is the record : 

In referance to what lands are granted by the inhabitants of mattatuck to John 
Hopkins the present miller we do well aprove of and in case they shall see cause 
to ease the intaile of any part the £100 Alotment we shall not object: against itt 

The result of all this action was, John Hopkins, " his heirs 
and assigns," became entitled to the original grant of thirty 
acres, the sole condition being that " he or they maintain a 
grist mill for ever." He also became the owner, by grant, of 
Dea. Lankton's propriety and allotments, without conditions, 
except that a two acre lot and a three acre lot were entailed to 
the mill in like manner " as the thirty acres are," To remove 
all doubt and misapprehension in relation to the tenure by 
which the Lankton allotments were held, a vote was passed, 
after the town was incorporated, of which the following is a 
copy: 

Att a town meeting at waterbury december : 30'' : 1687: y« town granted John 
hopkins y' alotment now in his possesion which was formerly deac langtons 
freely and absolutely to him and his heirs foreuer exsepting y' allotment in Isaacs 
meadow containing three acers and y' too acer alotment in hancox meadow, 
which still abids intayld to y^ mill as appears by y^ town act febeur 13: 1682: 
we say theis too lots are intayled to y« mill as y" 30 acers was intayld by y« com- 
mity. [Pro. Book. Vol. I, p! 13.] 

Several years later, a misunderstanding or difficulty appears 
to have arisen between the miller and the town, possibly in 
consequence of the dam being carried away by the floods, and a 
claim made upon the town to rebuild it. The result was a 
compromise and an agreement signed by Hopkins on the town 
book, " in y® presents of y^ town." 
6 



»Z HISTOKY OF WATERBUEY, 

Att a town meeting in waterbury genuary 30"* 1699 or 700 y® town by uoat 
ingaged to make and maintain y« mill dam from y* east s** of y« cornmill to y* hil 
on y« east sid y^ Riuer for teen yeirs on theis conditions y' y« niiler make and kee] 
y6 corn mill in good Repayer to do y« towns worck in grinding for them fifteei 
yeirs and maintain y« dam from y® east sid y« mill to y® hill on y« west sid of y* 
mill extriordinarys exsepted. 

Boath on ye towns part and millers in y^ presents of y^ town I acsept theyr ac< 
and they doing what they promis I ingage to do min in makeing and main- 
taining the mill as witness my hand John Hopkins 

But the causes of misunderstanding were not yet all remov- 
ed. In less than three years a new compromise became ne- 
cessary, and John Hoj)kins signed another agreement on the 
town book ■' in presents of the town." This relates to the mill- 
place. 

Att a town meeting sep': 14: 1702: where as there has bin sum dificulty a bout 
y« mill place for a finall issue on y« same y^ town and miller agree y' y* property 
of y® mill place be and remain to him and his heirs foreuer as y® mill land is he 
maintayning a mill to do ye towns worck for euer but if ye miller fayl to maintayn 
a mill to do y« towns work in grinding theyr corn well corn being sutable to 
grind then y* property of y* mill place to return to y^ town and priuiledges of it 
only they are to giue y^ miller a resonable price for what is his own on y^ mill 
place and if y« town and miller cannot agree to be prised by indefrent men in tes. 
timony of my complyance with ye townihaveinpresentsof y^ townscttomy hand 

John Hopkins 

The matter of the mill place being settled, as a part of the 
compromise, probably, the following vote was passed : 

Att the same meting the town agree by uoat to tak of [off] the remainder of in- 
tail mentlayd one John hopkins medow lot [s ?] a [and] gife him lefe to re[cord] 
it to him self as his one [own]. [Town Book, p. 103.] 

The word " lot," in the preceding vote, must, I think, have 
been intended for lots. If so, it is fair to conclude that the 
pieces referred to are the meadow tracts, one of three acres in 
Isaac's Meadow and one of two acres in Handcox's Meadow, 
which were a part of Dea. Lankton's allotments. This view is 
strengthened, if not proved to be the correct one, by the fact 
that soon afterwards, under date of April 8, 1703, the two lots 
in question were recorded, as though without any conditions, 
among the lands belonging to John Hopkins. [L. R. Vol. I, p, 
37.] The mill lands, proper, are recorded by themselves. 

Genuary: 25th: llO^ }"* ''O^n gaue y^ miller leaue to rcnioue y« 8 acers of y* 
mill lot from y* pin hool and take it where it suts ouer ye mill riuer 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



83 



For aught that appears, after this, for a considerable time, 
matters went on harmoniously between the miller and the 
town, the one " grinding corn," and the other bringing "corn 
suitable to grind," each party thus contributing to the best 
good of the other. In process of time, however, John Hop- 
kins died and was gathered to his fathers, having been town 
miller for fifty years. His executors and sons, Stephen and 
Timothy Hopkins, January 17th, 1732-3, in consideration of 
£350, conveyed to Jonathan Baldwin, Jr., of Milford, all their 
right and title in the grist mill and mill place, with the thirty 
ac°es thereto belonging, lying in several pieces, viz, fifteen 
acres on the mill plain, eight acres on the Mad River by the 
common fence, two acres over against the mill, one acre on 
this side the river by the mill, two acres in Isaac's Meadow 
on the east side the brook, and two acres towards the upper 
end of Ilancox Meadow.'" 

For many years, there is nothing to show how " Jonathan 
Balwin, Jr." acquitted himself as the new miller ; but at a town 
meeting held Dec. 10th, 1753, it was voted to raise a committee 
" to search Into the scircumstances of the mill Land and see 
what Tittle Mr. Baldwin has to said Land," &c. At another 
meeting, held Feb. 4, 1754, the following action was taken : 

After some considerable Discourse about the old corn mill that was Mr. 
Hopkins the Question was put to the Town wheither they were Easie with Mr. 
Jonathan Baldwins tending of the mill It appearing to them that the most of the 
customers had not their Corn Ground Well-Voted that they were uneasie and at 
the same meeting made Choise of Capt Sami. Hickcox Lieut John Scovill 
Liut Tho' porter a Committe to treat with Mr. Jonathan Baldwin and his son 
Jonathan and Learn what agreement they can come to. 

Quite recently, since the grist mill was discontinued, and 
the site and water privilege devoted to other uses, questions 
arose, on the part of certain persons, as to the conditions at- 
tached to the old mill grants, and the effect which a neglect of 
these would have on the titles of the present owners. Some 
came to the conclusion, after searching the records, that the 
mill grants had been forfeited and that the lands reverted 
back to the grantors, the original proprietors of the town, their 
heirs and assigns. This conclusion, if established, would put 



Land Records, Vol. IV, p. 13. 



84 HISTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 

into the possession of the latter a large amount of property 
within the present city limits, including mills, factories, water 
prinleges and dwellings, and dispossessing a large poj)ulation 
of their estate. As the inquiry proceeded, it became a matter 
of interest to know what the mill grants were and what lands 
were included, and subjected to the conditions. 
The " mill lands," so called, were the following : 
1. The " thirty acres P These were granted by the com- 
mittee of the General Court, in 16T9, on condition that the mill 
be maintained forever, as we have seen. It does not appear 
that this land was "located" by the committee. Doubtless, 
the proprietors and the miller were left to settle among them- 
selves the location, and thus accommodate their mutual con- 
venience. Nor is there anything to show that the land was 
taken up, or at any rate, surveyed, immediatel}^ ; indeed the 
contrary appears in regard to a part of it ; for on the eighteenth 
of March, 1701-2, Stephen Upson and Benjamin Barnes with 
the town measurer were appointed a committee " to lay out the 
mill lot at the mill, and what highways are needful for the 
mill." The mill lot here alluded to is, probably, the one re- 
ferred to in the following extracts: 

March y® =25= 1704 y^ town granted y« too acers of y® mill land to be layd 
out to gether betwein ye highway y' leads to y« mill and y^ highway y* is 
next to abraham andruss sn' lot if it be there to be had not pregedising ye 
highway but takeing y' highway betwein where yong abraham set up a hous and 
ye riuer 

Oct. 26. 1713, the town by uot agre the too acrs of mill land laid out by Leften- 
ant Timothy Standly bating on the mill riuer est and so to run west betwen the 
hig way that gose from the town to the mil and the highway that gose from the 
town to the mad riuer a long by the est sid of Abraham Andrus hous lot it buting 
also west on a high way that gose from the corner of Thomas warners to said 
Andruss is acscpted and determined to be and remain part of the thirty acurs of 
land intaile by the grand comity. [Town Book, p. 11*7.] 

The piece of land above is recorded, Dec. 14th, 1713, 
among the mill lands, by John Hopkins, then clerk, as " two 
acres on Mad Kiver, below the mill dam, south on highway, 
that goes to said river, north on highway that goes from the 
town to the mill, west on highway." It seems to have been 
the land immediately below the old mill extending down the 
river to the present bridge and to the road which leads to it, 
reaching west to Union square and north to the "mill path," 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 



85 



or the road coming from the town, (Cole street.) In tlie sale, 
however, to Jonathan Baldwin, in 1732-3, this piece is called 
one acre. Perhaps a part of it had been exchanged for other 
land. 

The " Mill Plain" lot is recorded by John Hopkins, in 1713, 
and described as " within the common fence southward from 
part of Abraham Andruss, his house lot," butted north on 
common fence, west on Dr. Porter, John Kichards, Timothy 
Stanley and common land, south on highway, east on Abra- 
ham Andruss and the " brow of the hill." 

This tract of land lay down the river from the mill, below 
the bridge and south of Union street. Abraham Andruss' lot 
of three and a half acres lay between it and the river and the 
road going to the river. It extended south as far as Liberty 
street,* or some otlier east and west road, and west to the lands 
of the individuals named. It appears to have embraced the 
entire plain at the north end. 

The "eight acre lot" before alluded to as removed, by 
consent, from Pine Hole, was situated on the east side the 
Mad River, opposite Mill Plain, lying between the New 
Haven road, (as it was then called,— Balwiu street, on the 
map,) the common fence and the river. It appears, however, 
not to have extended as far west as the river, but to have been 
four rods from it at the nearest point, on the lower side, where 
it met the common fence. It is described on the same page 
of the record as the other pieces as lying " over Mill River 
southward from the town, butted west on common fence, 
southerly on common land, easterly and westerly on highway." 
Another piece still, of two acres, lay on the east side of the 
river, north of the crossing, " over against the mill." 

These four pieces, containing in all twenty-seven acres, are 
recorded by John Hopkins, for the first time, apparently, in 
1713, and are described as the mill lauds, belonging to the 
thirty acres. The remaining two acres are not recorded. But 



* Liberty street is recorded as having been laid out, Sep. 23d, 1803, through Col. Wm. Leav- 
enworth's land, called the Mill Plain, to the grist mill at the place of the Hotchkiss & Merriman 
Manufacturing Co., two and a half rods wide and thirty-two rods in length. There is no men- 
tion of a previous road. At that time, the high level ground, down as far as the bridge on the 
present New Haven road, was called Mill Plain, though the mill land could not have extend- 
ed so far south or west. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



in the conveyance to Jonathan Baldwin, two other pieces are 
enumerated, each of two acres, one in Isaac's Meadow, (at 
Isaac's Meadow bars,) and the other in Hancox's Meadow, 
while the two acre piece " below the mill dam " is called one 
acre, making in all thirty acres quit claimed to Baldwin. 

The two pieces of land in Isaac's Meadow and in Hancox's 
Meadow, I suppose to be the same as those wdiich came from 
Dea. Lankton's propriety, and which were at first " entailed to 
the mill," and then (Sep. 1702) the "entailment taken off" 
by the town. And yet, previous to Baldwin's purchase, the 
lot in Isaac's Meadow (" easterly on the brook [Steel's] west- 
erly on the hill") had been called three acres, instead of two, 
as mentioned in the deed to Baldwin. Nor do I know why the 
two tracts in question should be named as a part of the thirty 
acres. The act of 1687 would seem to imply that they were 
distinct from, and additional to, the latter. 

2. The mill place. There is no record to show who were the 
grantors of the mill site and mill privilege ; but as tlie title, 
or rather the right to grant, was in the connxiittee at the time 
the mill was erected, it is fair to conclude that they were the 
grantors. Nor does it appear what conditions, if any, were 
originally attached to the grant. The action of the town, how- 
ever, in 1702, taken in connection with the agreement signed 
by Hopkins, proves that there were conditions. This agree- 
ment between the parties, it will be remembered, ]3ut the mill 
place on the same (or similar) footing as the other mill lands. 
The mill place was " to remain to the miller and his heirs for- 
ever, he maintaining a mill to do the town's work forever ; 
but if the miller fail to maintain a mill, the mill place to re- 
turn to the town and privileges of it, only they are to give y* 
miller a reasonable price for what is his own on the mill 
place." It is not clear that the town or proprietors had any 
right, either inherent or conferred by the town patent, to change, 
or consent to a change, of the conditions of an original grant of 
the committee ; but perhaps no change was designed, but only 
a declaration of what was the original intention. It will be 
noticed that the kind of mill to be maintained, whether a corn 
mill, a saw mill, or a rolling mill is not mentioned. " Town 
meeting" and "town" are employed, according to the custom 



HISTORY OF "WATERBURY, b i 

of the time, for proprietors' meeting and proprietors of the town ; 
but these mistakes, in common with others of the same sort, 
were corrected by the statute of 1723. 

There is no sufficient evidence to show that the conditions 
of any of the mill grants, even those attached to the mill place 
itself, required that the mill should be maintained where it 
was first erected. For aught that appears, Hopkins, his heirs 
and assigns, would not have forfeited the grants, had he or they 
suffered the old mill to go to decay, and erected a new one 
somewhere else, up or down the river, or in any other place 
not inconveniently remote, running it by such power as was at 
hand — water, wind, steam or horse power. If any one of 
those who subsequently held a part of the entailed property, 
however small, had chosen to do this, the old mill being neg- 
lected, that act, it appears to me, would have fulfilled the con- 
ditions and kept alive all the grants. 

The question has been asked — and it seemed at one time 
to be a question of some importance — to whom would the 
mill lands revert in case of a forfeiture ? Undoubtedly, to the 
State, unless the State, has in some way parted with its rights. 
The title to all the territory of the colony of Connecticut, at the 
time of the grants, was in the "Governor and Company," de- 
rived by " letters patent " from the king of England. Tlie com- 
mittee for the settlement of Mattatuck represented the Gov- 
ernor and Company — the colonial government — and acted by 
their authority. Grants, conditions and reservations made by 
them, who were mere agents, were as if made by the princi- 
pal — the government. All the benefits of forfeiture, there- 
fore, would accrue to the Colony or State. 

But was there no change wrought in the rights of the gov- 
ernment by the town patents, or acts of incorporation ? That 
of 1686 may be equivocal in its phraseology ; but that of 1720 
seems to me clear and explicit. The latter instrument declares 
that "we the Governor and Company " " have granted remised, 
released and quit claimed" to the inhabitants, proprietors of 
Waterbury, "all the abovesaid tract of land," (having de- 
scribed the boundaries,) "with all the buildings, fences, woods, 
stones," &c., "with the rights, members, appurtenances, here- 
ditaments and the reversion and reversions, remainder and re- 



HISTOEY OF WATEKBUKY. 



mainders, to them their lieirs and assigns forever, according to 
their several graiits, proportions, shares, rights and interests 
in of and unto the lands above described, to be distinguished ac- 
cording to their several descents, devises, grants, divisions, 
agreements and purchases, as of record appeareth, and by the 
records of said town of Waterbury may be seen," &c., &c. 

Thus, it seems to me that the State has divested itself of all 
its rights, reversionary and other, in the lands of ancient 
Waterbury, and has made over its whole title, of whatever 
kind, to the proprietors. All original grants, therefore, incum- 
bered with conditions which have been disregarded, till a for- 
feiture has been wrought, would seem to be the projDerty of 
the proprietors. This is the apparent condition of the mill 
lands. Before the " mill place and privileges" however, can 
go into new hands, their present owners must be paid a 
"reasonable price for what is their own on the place," according 
to the agreement of 1702, and if the parties cannot " agree 
[the property is] to be appraised by indiflerent men." 

Such are the views of the writer, but as he is no lawyer and 
no expert in such matters, he may labor under some funda- 
mental error. 

I have said that questions arose as to the effect which a 
discontinuance of the mill must have on the old mill grants. 
Several meetings were held in 1849 and 1850, and committees 
appointed, at different times, to investigate the subject. April 
2d, 1850, Edmund E. Davis, Isaiah Dunbar, David Chatfield 
and Josiali Culver were chosen "a committee to examine into 
the right the proprietors have to Scovill's mill seat which was 
formerly granted to Stephen Hopkins." These meetings, how- 
ever, and some subsecpient ones, seem to have been informal ; 
when some of those opposed to the farther agitation of the sub- 
ject thought it worth while to move. A special meeting, 
purporting to be legally warned, was held Jan. 4th, 1851, 
when it was voted " to bargain, sell and convey all tlie right, 
title and interest that the proprietoi-s of the ancient town of 
Waterbury have to any of the undivided lands holden or pos- 
sessed by individuals given or granted on condition," &c. 
Samuel H. Nettleton, Silas Hoadley and Josiah Hine were 
chosen a committee " to release and convey," &c. 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 89 

At an adjourned meeting held the 25th day of January, 
1851, the committee appointed at the last meeting made a re- 
port, the result of their investigations. They recapitulate 
some of the facts which have already been mentioned con- 
cerning the old mill grants, at the same time overlooking 
others of material importance. They then go on to say : 

And we further find that from that date said lands have been regularlarly con- 
veyed from one person to another down to the present occupants, some by deeds 
of quit claim and some by deeds of warranty, without any reservations in the same 
i and warranting against all claims whatsoever and free from all conditions, and 
that in some of the deeds of the mill lands as then called, the mill and privilege 
are named as a separate part of the property and distinct from the same. 

And we further find that from the long lapse of time and the course of con- 
veyances of said property and the impossibility of now determining the precise 
location of the said lands — we recommend that the subject is not deserving of fur- 
ther attention, and for the purpose of quieting all further agitation on the subject — 
we recommend the appointment of a committee of two, in lieu of the one appoint- 
ed at the last meeting, to release to any of the present owners of said property 
or [of] any other property, any rights that the ancient proprietors may have to 
lands heretofore granted upon condition as aforesaid — 

We also find that the grant of said lands was from the State [Colony] of Connec- 
ticut instead of the ancient proprietors, and if there is any reversionary interest as 
to said lands, the title is in the State of Connecticut instead of the ancient propri- 
etors of Waterbury. 

This report was accepted by a vote of twenty-one to ten. 
In the affirmative were Daniel Upson, Thomas Welton, Wil- 
liam II, Scovill, James M. L. Scovill, E. F. Merrill, Aaron Ben- 
edict, John Thomson, John S. Kingsbury, Garry Merrill, S. 
W. Hall, William Hickox, John Buckingham, S. M. Bucking- 
ham, Edward S. Clark, Charles D. Kingsbury, Miles Newton, 
Willard Spencer, Eldad Bradley, Anson Bronson, P. W. Car- 
ter, Sherman Hickox. 

In the negative were Isaiah Dunbar, George N. Pritchard, 
Horace Foot, David Chatfield, Thomas B. Davis, Alonzo Allen, 
David C. Adams, Enos Chatfield, Josiah Culver, David M. 
Pritchard. 

In pursuance of the recommendation of the report, a com- 
mittee, consisting of Willard Spencer and John P. Elton, were 
appointed " for, and in the name and behalf of the proprietors 
of the common and undivided lands of the ancient town of 
Waterbury, to release and convey by proper deeds of convey- 
ance to the present owner or owners of any lands known as 



90 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

the mill lands and all others heretofore given or granted on 
conditions by a committee appointed by the State [Colony] of 
Connecticut, or by any subsequent committee or committees 
of the ancient town [or proprietors?] of Waterbury all the 
rights, titles and interests that the said proprietors may or 
ought to have thereto, also to release and discharge said 
lands from said conditions." 

This is the important vote. The record says it passed, but 
the number of voters or votes, (or the names of those who 
voted,) is not given. It does not appear -whether all the per- 
sons whose names appear in the first vote, and who may have 
been in the last, were proprietors. It does not appear that the 
votes were counted according to each man's propriety, or in- 
terest in the common lands, as the old statute directed, and 
as was the ancient custom. Nor does it appear that those 
deriving their rights from bachelor proprietors, who (by the ex- 
press terms of the grant which made them such, were denied 
a voice in " giving away lands ") were excluded from the vote. 
But the question on the acceptance of the report w^as not a 
material one. 

It is clear that the proprietors have no power to " release 
and discharge lands " from conditions that were imposed by 
the Colony or its committee ; though they may undoubtedly 
" release and convey," or quit claim, lands to which they have 
acquired a title in consequence of a forfeiture of, or a non 
compliance with, the conditions imposed by said Colony or 
committee. 

The minority of course were not pleased with the course 
which had been pursued at this meeting, and particularly with 
the powers given to the " deeding committee." They ques- 
tioned the rights of certain persons who had been permitted 
to act and vote, and disputed the legality of the whole pro- 
ceeding, &c. 

Grist mills in a new settlement are soon follow^ed by saw 
mills. I am unable to say when or where the first saw mill 
in Waterbury was erected. There was one existing in 1686, 
for the " path that leads to the saw mill " is spoken of Jan, 3d, 
1686, (1686-7.) I suspect, but I do not certainly know, that 
the mill thus referred to stood where the "Waterbury Knitting 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 91 

Company now cany on business, where one was in being at 
the time the factory was erected, and where tlie writer, in 
early life, sawed logs. I find as early as 1704, that a lot, at 
this point, of four acres, owned by Jeremiah and Joshua Peck, 
and fronting on Cherry street, (now so called,) was bounded 
west on a " passage," which I suppose to have been the same as 
that which still exists, coming down from the north, along 
which logs were drawn to the mill. This lot was called in 
ITie, " Lieut. Bronson's saw mill lot." Whether this mill was 
referred to in the following grant, April 6th, 1702, I am unable 
with certainty to say. 

Stephen Upson had a grant of land between Bronson's path that goes to his 
boggy meadow and the path that goes over the meadow to the saw mill. 

A meadow called " Bronson's Meadow, in 1724, was on the 
east side of the brook, in the neighborhood of the supj^osed 
saw mill. 

There was a saw mill on Mad River, near the Farmington 
road, which is referred to Marcli 28, 1695, whicli I suppose 
not to be the same as that alluded to in 1686, or in 1702. 

After grist mills and saw mills have been provided for a 
new township, /i^^Z^w^ mills are thought of for the purpose of 
fulling and dressing cloth for wearing apparel. Cloth is more 
easily transported to distant mills than grain or logs ; still, as 
the farmers of new countries expect to pay for what they buy 
by the products of their farms, which are, for the most part, 
too heavy for convenient transport, it is very desirable to have 
mills for this as well as for other machine-work, near at hand. 
The people of "Waterbury gave this matter their early consid- 
eration, 

[Jan 20, 1692.] Thare was sequesterd the great brook from edmun scots lot 
down to saniuell hickox jr lot for to build a fulling mill. 

It was thus sequestered, or set apart, that it might not be 
taken up by those in search of desirable places where they 
might " locate " their grants or divisions, thus becoming indi- 
vidual property. The design was to reserve it to be given, or 
disposed of, to some person who would erect and maintain a 
fulling mill. Whether the portion of the brook thus set apart 
was above or below the Knitting Company's factory, I cannot 



y:5 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

say. I am not aware tliat a fulling mill existed upon this 
stream early, though there may have been one. The earliest 
mention of such a mill on Great Brook which I have met with 
is in April, 1Y37, when Nathan Prindle sold to Nathaniel Ar- 
nold a fulling mill, which stood on the Buck's Hill road near 
the site of the old Clock Factory of the late Mark Leaven- 
worth, (Waterbury Knitting Co., on the map.) The mill then 
standing must have been built between 1728 and 1732. 

The first fulling mill known to have been built in Water- 
bury, was on Fulling Mill Brook, at Judd's Meadow, now 
Naugatuck. I suppose this mill, then about to be built, is 
referred to in the following passage, and that Daniel "Warner's 
Brook is the same as that which was afterwards called Fullin* 
Mill Brook, the mill giving its name to the stream. 

March 6"", 1*709-10, the proprietors granted to Samuel Hickox the Liberty of 
that Stream called daniel Worner's Brooli from the East side of the going over 
the 5"^ Brook. Any place for Conveniancy of Darning So Long as he Shall main- 
tain A fulling mill and Conveniency of Land to pass and dry Cloth. 

Samuel Hickox, 2d, died June 3d, 1713, and after his death, 
one of his sons is spoken of as having had land laid ont 
" where his father built a fulling mill." Samuel Hickox, then, 
had a mill, which was erected before 1713, and probably after 
1709, on the brook where he lived, called Fulling Mill Brook. 
Dr. Trumbull, in his History of Connecticut, remarks that 
there was but one clothier in the Colony, in 1713. In refer- 
ence to this statement, Mr. Cothren, in his History of Ancient 
Woodbury, (Yol. I, p. 73,) remarks, that " if the assertion is 
true, which he has no reason to doubt, Woodbury was the 
location of the first clothier," Abraham Fulford having es- 
tablished himself there and built a fulling mill previous to 
that time. Dr. Trumbull, who quotes as his authority, " An- 
swers to questions from the Lords of Trade and Plantations, 
1710," was doubtless mistaken. In all probability, there were 
many clothiers and fulling mills in the Colony at the period 
named. 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 1)3 



CHAPTEE YIII. 



ROADS, BRIDGES, &c. 

All new settlements suffer much inconvenience and priva- 
tion for want of roads. To make good, or even passable 
roads, requires mucli time, labor and expense — sacrifices tbat 
new settlers can ill afford. And yet, civilization cannot go 
on — cannot even be preserved — without them. Of course, 
men will first build those roads which are most needed — 
which best serve to connect them with the world which they 
have left — with its people, its institutions, its machinery and 
its markets. 

The first planters of Mattatuck found it convenient and 
necessary to keep a constant communication with Farming- 
ton. The Farmington road was the first that was opened. It 
was doubtless, for a time, a mere horse path, and was in a 
very imperfect state for many ^^ears. In its general course, 
it ran nearly east from the village, along just north of Specta- 
cle Pond, (at the junction of the new plank road and the old 
Cheshire road.) It crossed Beaver Pond (Hog Pound) Brook 
a little distance from its mouthy passed north of Beaver Pond 
through East Farms, occupying a position near the present 
road. At the east end it came out just at the boundary line 
between Farmington and Walliiigford, (now Wolcott and 
Cheshire.) There is no early survey of it on record. Our 
whole knowledge respecting it is gathered from land surveys, 
votes, &c., in which it is incidentally mentioned. Though a 
vote was passed in 1702, ordering that all surveys of high- 
ways should be recorded, this was not done till 1T16 and af- 
terwards. 

In May, 1731, an " upper road to Farmington" was in ex- 
istence, in the northeast corner of the town, at a place called 
Poland. Lands at Ash Swamp were situated on this road. It 
was probably a continuation of the Bucks Hill road. 



94 HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 

There is a record of a survey of a highway " from Farming- 
ton bounds to the town," bearing date Feb. 9th, 1754, Avhich 
seems to be the old road which has been described, though 
this fact is not alluded to. It " began at Farmington south- 
west corner," and terminated in the village at Ebenezer 
Bronson's and John Scovill's corners, butting, as it passe* 
through the town, "on each side on y^ ends of each man' 
home lot as it is now fenced, the boundaries of said highway 
being set at y^ corner of each man's lot." Distances are men- 
tioned in this survey, and the general direction, but not the 
points of the compass. 

In 1686, Kew Haven and Mattatuck were ordered by the 
General Court to make a road between the two places as 
speedily as the work could be conveniently done. It was soon 
after alluded to on the town record as " our road that leads to 
New Haven," and land was laid out on it, at Judd's Meadow, 
in Jan. 1690-1. It was the second road connecting Water- 
bury with the other settlements. Its commencement was at 
Mill River. It ran in the direction of Baldwin street, continu- 
ing along upon the high ground on the east side of Naugatuck 
River, and some distance from it, passing a little east of the 
old burying yard at Judd's Meadow. It was used as the road 
to Judd's Meadow till 1721, (when a highway on the west side 
of the river was built,) and as the road to New Haven till the 
present turnpike was constructed, about 1802. 

In June, 1716, there was a survey of the " country road" to 
New Haven by Serg. Stephen Upson and Abram Andruss, 
which is recorded. It began " at the paitli that goeth over 
the river a letel westward of the mill," " at the mouth of the 
mill treanch," and ended at the New Haven bounds. The 
road ran apparently where the old one did. The survey of the 
New Haven road is the first which is recorded. Distances 
and points of compass are not mentioned, and little can now 
be leai'ned from it. 

The third road running out of Waterbury, chronologically 
speaking, was the Woodbury road. It is mentioned inciden- 
tally as early as 1687, tliough it could not have been much 
used at that time. After the breaking out of the French and 
Indian wars, which followed the Enij^lish Revolution, this be- 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 95 

came a more important and more frequently traveled road. 
It connected Woodbury with Hartford and the river towns. 
It was made use of, it is believed , to communicate with Al- 
bany and the military posts lying north of that place. The 
Waterbury people, in their petition to the General Court for 
assistance in building their new meeting house in 1691, while 
enumerating their burdens, speak of the trouble and expense 
of " the soldiers passing to and fro and their often entertain- 
ments." After Mr. Peck was disabled by illness, the inhab- 
itants of Waterbury went by this road to Woodbury to ob- 
tain baptism for their children. It passed up the West Side 
hill nearly where the present road runs across Breakneck 
Hill, north of the pond, in Middlebury. 

In June, 1720, Isaac Bronson, Timothy Standly and Thomas 
Judd laid out a " rode towards Woodbury," commencing at 
" the weste bars," being twenty rods wide for a distance up the 
hill, running by Isaac Bronson's farm (at Breakneck) and 
ending " at the going down of Wolfpit Hill to the Bridg 
Brook at Woodbury bounds." At what points this road de- 
viated from the old one, I am unable to say. " Tlie old path " 
is referred to in only one instance. 

In Dec. 1766, there was a resurvey of the Woodbury road, 
commencing at Obadiah Scovill's (now Mrs. Bennet Bronson's) 
corner, (being four rods and eleven feet from Andrew Bron- 
son's corner opposite,) and running one hundred and seventy- 
six rods to the bridge, the highway being three rods wide. 
On the other side of the river, the road was eleven rods wide, 
and on the hill, twenty rods wide. The old river crossing was 
some ten rods below the present bridge. 

The road to Bucks Hill was next in order. Feb 25th, 1702- 
3, " Sergt. Bronson and Ens. Stanley were appointed a com- 
mittee to lay out a highway from y« highway at y« town to 
Bucks Hill and a passage from Bucks Hill to y* common fenc at 
Hancox Meadow and one to Ash Swamp." Another committee, 
consisting of Doct. Warner and Richard Wilton, were chosen 
to lay out a road to Bucks Hill, in 1715, But there is no rec- 
ord of a survey at either of these times; but in 1724, Ephraim 
Warner and John Bronson " laid out a highway to Bucks Hill, 
beginning at the Claypits, [west corner of North Main and 



90 IIISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 

Grove,] six rods wide where the path now is," and running to 
Edmund Scott's pasture, then twenty rods Avide to Obadiah 
Scott's liouse, thence in the path to the east end of Bucks Hill 
to Richard Welton's house, thence northward in a path to 
Hancox Brook Meadow, 

The following town vote relates to the continuation of Wil- 
low street, up the hill north of Mi-s. Bennet Bronson's dwelling. 
It is the earliest formal record concerning a highway out- 
side of the original town plot. 

Oct. 26. 1713, at atown meting the town determin that the highway to run 
northward by the common fens from John scouils on the est sid of the fens shal be 
the sam breth [breadth] as tis a gainst said scouils lot till it corns to the extent 
of said scouils land estward from the fens. 

A highway towards Westbury through the common field 
was laid out by Nathaniel Arnold and Thomas Barnes, in 
Nov. 1T29. It began " at the road on the hill against Manhan 
Meadow," (where the house marked Timothy Church stands,) 
and " continued twenty foot wide as the path now goes " to the 
upper end of Manhan Meadow.* It then crossed the river and 
bore westward and northward across Steel's Meadow to Steel's 
Plain east of J. G. Bronson's house. This road was subse- 
quently changed at its commencement near the village, so as 
to begin at " the country road that goeth to Woodbury before 
we come to Manhan Meadow Hill," crossing the plain and a 
small brook, and continuing on the hill side, near where the 
present road runs. At the other end, or Steel's Plain, it was 
continued west and north, at the foot of the hill up Steel's 
Brook and on the west side, and so on to Scott mill, AYooster 
Swamp and the village, in the northern and northwestern part 
of Westbury. 

That part of the present Watertown road which is next to 
the covered bridge was not laid out till November, 1753. 
It began three rods from the top of the river bank, and ran 



* In Eliot's Indian Bible, Munhan, Manhan, Munnahan Mannahan, Ac, are the Indian 
words for an island. Manhattan, the Indian name of New York Island, is doubtless the 
same word in another dialect. There are indications, (or used to be,) that Manhan Meadow 
was once an island, and that a part of the river, at no very distant period, ran down upon the 
east side next the hill in the course of the canal of the Water Power Co., and so continuing 
through the old Long Cove and along the line of the Naugatuck railroad till it met the Great 
Brook. This was low ground, and throughout its extent there was, in the writer's memory, 
a chain of miniature lakes or ponds. 




:^:^^^ i:0r^r?^^^'^T 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 97 

"northward forty four rods to a lieep of stones three rods from 
the bank on the west side of Bronson's Island," It then ran a 
little more eastward nine rods to an aj)ple tree three rods from 
the river bank ; then northward one hundred and thirteen 
rods to a rock three rods from the top of the river bank, bound- 
ing east on said bank ; then a little west of north twenty rods ; 
then " northward," in all, one hundred and ninety-four rods, 
terminating at a heap of stones " between Joseph Bronson's 
and Obadiah Kichards" at "the passage that comes from 
Tompkins to Isaac's Meadow." 

From the description of this road, it would seem that the 
river above the bridge (or a branch of it) at the date mention- 
ed, ran down across the meadow three rods from the higliAvay. 
The road Avas designed to give the "Westbury people and those 
living north up the river, access to the lower bridge. 

In Dec. 1721, there was a highway laid out to Judd's 
Meadow,* on the west side of the river. It beo-an at Long 
Meadow bars and passed down the river a distance, then over 
the hill and across Hop Brook, and ended at Joseph Lewis' 
home lot. 

To reach this road, people went in at the south meadow 
gate, followed the course of the present turnpike to the lower 
end of Mad Meadow, and crossed the IS^augatuck Kiver at the 
"Long Meadow riding place," at the foot of Benedict and 
Burnham Manufacturing Go's race way. 

The river road to Plymouth (now called) did not exist at an 
early period. There was one, however, laid out on the west 
side December, 1735, from Steel's Plain northward to Buck's 
Meadow Mountain, for the accommodation of the inhabitants 
living in that direction. On the east side of the ISTaugatuck, 
there was the pent road to the upper end of Manhan Meadow. 
From this point, it was extended (at a very early date, doubt- 
less) to Hancox Meadow, for the accommodation of the farm- 
ers. There was a passage above for those living upon the 
river, north ; for in 1738, it was stated by tlie people of Kortli- 



* March 26th, 1699. " Abraham Andruss, Sen., John Warner, Sen., and John Hopkins were 
chosen a committee to lay out a passage to Judd's Meadow." 

Where it was proposed that this passage should be, or whether the committee did anything on 
the subject, does not appear. 

7 



98 HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 



buiy, in their petition to tlie Assembly for " winter privileges," 
tliat to get to meeting at the center, they were obliged to cross 
the river nine times, and to pass through ten gates and sets of 
bars.* In October, 1Y45, a regular highway was laid out 
from the mouth of Spruce Brook, south, on the river bank, 
twelve rods wide, to Hancox Meadow. In December, 1Y72, 
a committee was appointed " to go and view a proposed pent 
road the east side of the river through Hancox Meadow to 
Northbury and make report." 

The present turnpike road from Plymouth to Salem (Naug- 
atuck) bridge, there to unite with the Strait's turnpike con- 
necting New Haven with Litchfield by Watertown, was fin- 
ished in 1702. It was an open highway and a great under- 
taking. 

I suppose that the first bridge over the Naugatuck River 
was built on the Woodbury road, in 1736, probably a little 
below where the present bridge stands, in accordance with a 
town vote passed in 1735. In Dec. 1736, there was a tax laid 
" of three pence on the pound to pay the charges of the bridge 
and other town charges." These are the first notices of a 
bridge to be found on record. In a petition to the General 
Court for " winter privileges," in October, 1732, the West- 
bury people mentioned as one of the reasons why their prayer 
should be granted, that they were se]3arated from the meeting 
house by " a great river which is called Waterbury Eiver, 
which for great part of the winter and spring is not passable." 
It is fair therefore to conclude that no bridge was in existence 
in 1732, and that the notices which have been referred to in 
1735 and 1736, relate to the first bridge. 

In tlie spring of 1740-41, the bridge was carried away or 
much damaged by a flood. A vote was passed to " repair " 
it, and Lieut. Thomas Bronson and others were appointed a 
committee " to look after and save what timber can be 
found." In the fall, however, the bridge had been again 
6wej)t away, and a committee was chosen to rebuild it, and to 



* A letter before me from Mr. Noah M. Bronson of Medina, Ohio, dated July, 1S55, when 
the writer was eighty-eight years of age, states that in passing down the river from Jerico to 
Waterbury village, with a team, after the Revolution, one was obliged to cross the stream six 
times, and remove from twenty-five to thirty sets of bars. 



1 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 



"take advice in what form or manner" to construct it. They 
were to have "a discretionary power whether to hire it done 
by the grate or otherwise." In order to defray a part of tlie 
expenses, it was decided, in February, 1^43-4, to ask the 
General Assembly to make " the bridge built over the Kauga- 
tuck River in the country road to "Woodbury a toll bridge." 

In February, 1T48-9, it was necessary again to rebuild the 
bridge on the Woodbury road, " the timber and plank of the 
old bridge " to be used. £80 were appropriated for this pur- 
pose. In 1Y58, a bridge was built by Isaac Bronson and 
George Nichols. Five pounds were voted them the next year. 
In September, 1761, they petitioned the town for thirty pounds, 
saying the whole cost of the bridge had been about sixty-five 
pounds lawful money,* and that it was hard for them to bear 
the whole charge. It had not been made a public bridge at 
this time. 

In December, IT-IS, Capt. Samuel Hickox requested the 
town to assist him to erect a bridge over the river at the up- 
jjer end of Hancox Meadow, (where he had a mill.) " They 
allowed him to call out Waterbury men and Bucks' Hill men 
and those of the old society, excluding Judd's Meadow men, 
that are obliged to work in the highway, one day, provided 
he allow a pent road through his fields and maintain gates and 
furnish a good cart bridge." 

In January, 1Y48-9, twenty-two pounds were granted to 
Capt. Hickox towards " a good cart bridge at his mill," a 
flood having swept away the old one. Abraham Hickox and 
John Hickox, (sons of Capt. Samuel,) received from the town, 
March, 1764, " three pounds as a donation," for the cart bridge 
which they had built over the " Great River," at the same 
place, the other having apparently shared the fate of the first. 
Twelve pounds, in provision, were appropriated, in February, 
1767, for still another bridge at Ilancox Meadow. 

A cart bridge in Northbury was about being built in 1747, 
and £22 money, old tenor, were voted Dec. 8th, of that year, 
to be paid when the bridge was completed. It was situated. 



* The reader will understand that £1 old Connecticut currency was the equivalent of $3.33 1-3 
U. S. currency. 



100 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

according to tlie record, " where the highway is laid to the 
river, east from Mr. John How's house." Five pounds w^ere 
granted in February, 1759, to the society of Northbury for 
their encouragement in constructing a cart bridge over the 
river at that place. Probably the old bridge had been de- 
stroyed by a freshet, and the balance of the cost of replacing 
it was borne by individuals. 

In 1761, eleven petitioners applied to the General Court for 
relief, saying that they had built a bridge over the river near 
the center of Northbury, at an expense of £70, and that the 
town refused to pay for it. The town was ordered to pay £30 
and keep the bridge in repair. 

In January, 1748-9, a grant of twenty-two pounds money, 
old tenor, w^as made, for the first time, apparently, for con- 
structing a bridge over the Mad River, a little below Mr. Jon- 
athan Baldwin's mill, on the road to Judd's Meadow\ 

On the report of a committee, March 6th, 1753, the town 
"voted that Judd's Meadow men should draw one hundred 
pounds money, old tenor, out of the town treasury towards 
the building a bridge over the river at the mouth of Toantick 
[Long Meadow] Brook," provided " that there shall be no far- 
ther demands on the town for building or repairing a bridge in 
that place." In February, 1759, however, the town gave 
Capt. Thomas Porter five pounds for building a bridge " in 
that place ;" and in September, 1761, twenty pounds for the 
same or another bridge. 

Five petitioners, in 1767, applied to the General Assembly, 
and asked that the town might be ordered to pay for and keep 
in repair a bridge which they had erected over the Kaugatuck 
at Judd's Meadow, at an expense of £50. The town paid 
twenty-five pounds for a cart bridge ; and four years after- 
wards, or in December, 1771, accepted the bridge as a town 
bridge. Before the close of the winter, it was again carried 
away by a flood, as was the ISTorthbury bridge. 

December, 1757, the town voted to pay Mr. Joseph Bron- 
son five pounds " towards y^ building a cart bridge over y^ 
river near the upper end of Manhan Meadow, provided he 
shall complete such bridge by y« first of December next." 
There are still remaining slight traces of tlie eastern abutment 



HISTORY OF WATERBUET. 101 

of a bridge a few rods above the river crossing to Steel's 
Meadow. Joseph Bronson lived where the Ahiis House now 
stands. The bridge was a private one, and probably did not 
remain long. 

At the same time, (Dec. '57,) five pounds were voted to 
Capt. Thomas Porter for a good horse bridge which he pro- 
posed to build over the river at Beaver Meadow. 

It will be seen from the preceding notices that the work 
of constructing and repairing the bridges over the ISTaugatuck 
w^as exceedingly burdensome. The freshets in those days are 
believed to have been more frequent and destructive than 
now. The bridges, too, were less substantially built, and the 
people undertook to maintain too many of them. 

It may surprise the present generation to know that the 
thought was once entertained of improving the Naugatuck 
River, and then using it for the purposes of navigation. De- 
cember 21st, 1T61, Abraham Ilickox and Stephen Upson, Jr., 
petitioned the town that men might be permitted to " work 
at clearing the river," and have their work allowed as high- 
way work, " it having been conjectured that the river from 
TVaterbury to Derby might be made navigable for battooing." 
There seems to have been no action on the petition. 



CHAPTEE IX. 



INDIAN WARS : THE GREAT FLOOD : THE GREAT SICKNESS. 

From 1689, when William and Mary ascended tlie throne 
of England, to the peace of Utrecht, in 1713, with the excep- 
tion of about four years from 1697 to 1702, England and 
France were constantly at war. The English colonies were 
of course involved. During all this time, the Indians of Can- 



102 IIISTOKT OF WATERBUKY. 



northern parts of Maine, were under the influence and control 
of the French. Marauding parties of Indians, or French and 
Indians, made frequent hostile expeditions to the infant settle- 
ments of N'ew England, destroying the crops, driving off the 
cattle, firing dwellings, and massacreing the inhabitants, or 
carrying them into captivity. The colonies, particularly the 
weaker ones, were kept in a state of perpetual alarm. During 
this whole period, Waterhury was a frontier town and much 
exposed from the small number of its people, the want of for- 
tified 2^1aces and its distance from eifectual succor. It was 
not till 1720 that Litchfield was settled on the north, alFording 
protection in that direction. With Woodbury and Derby on 
the west and south, our fathers had little intercourse for many 
years. 

By an act of the colonial government, the people of Water- 
bury, during much of the time of which I have been speak- 
ing, were required to keep two men employed as scouts " to 
discover the designs of the enemy, and to give intelligence 
should they make their appearance." They performed this 
duty in rotation. Elevated places which overlooked the vil- 
lage and the meadows where the men labored during the 
day were selected, where the sentinels were placed. Newel's 
Hill, east of Willard Spencer's, was one of these places, and the 
high ground back of the house occuj)ied by the late Daniel 
Hayden {Damd Hayden on the map) was another. The re- 
cords show the preparations which were made from time to 
time for defense : — 

April 9**", llOO. The town voted [in consequence of apprehended trouble 
from the Indians] to fortify Ens. Stanley's house and if it should proue trouble- 
some times and y® town see they have need, two more should they be able. 

Att ye same meeting y« town agreed by uoate for y« building y* fort about 
ensign Standly's hous that the town go abought it forthwith, al men and boys 
and teams y* are able to worck and to begin to morrow, and he y' shall neglect 
to go on with the worck till it be dun shall forthwith pay to the aduantage of y" 
worck 2s 6d for a man and 6s for a team a day. 

Aprill: IS**", 1Y03 y* town desired y^ towns men to prouid a town stock of ami- 
nition according to law as soon as they can conueniently and if need be to caus a 
rate to be mad for to purchis s^ stock. 

[At the next meeting in Oct.] the town mad choys of Left Timothy Standly for 
to keep ye town stock of ammouition: for y* town. [Each town was required by 



niSTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 103 

Statute to keep "a barrel of good powder, two hundred weight of bullets, and 
three hundred flints, for every sixty listed souldicrs, and after that proportion.'' 
Left. Stanley commanded the train band ; of course it was meet that he should 
have the charge of the "military stores."] 

March ye=25=17()-l= y^ town agreed to fortifi Mr. Southmaid's hous, and 
deak judd Left Stanly and tho judd iur was appointed to stake out each man his 
proportion according to their gran leauey. 

In May, 1704, the General Court designated "Waterbnry as 
one of the frontier towns. They ordered that ten men shoukl 
" be put in garrison" in each of the towns of Danbury, Wood- 
bury, Waterbury and Siinsbur3\ 

Feb 31 llOQ-1 the town agreed to buld the foert that is at left standlis strong, 
at the same meeting the act was past to build a nue foart at the east end of the 
town at the place wher they shall agre dek thomas judd was chosing comiti to 
asist the townsmen laying the s"* foarts out and to state euiri [every] man['s] pre 
posun [proportion] acording to his Icui. 

An ahinn was spread through the country early in 1707, in 
consequence of intelligence that the French and Indians of 
Canada were planning a descent upon the colonies. It was 
reported, too, that the Indians of Woodbury and New Milford 
— the Pootatucks and Wiantenucks — ^liad formed an alliance 
with the enemy. A council of war was convened in Hartford 
in February, and it was resolved that the frontier towns upon 
the west, which were most exposed — Simsbury, Waterbury, 
Woodbury, and Danbury — should be fortified with all possible 
despatch. As Waterbury had sustained great losses from the 
floods, it was resolved that the Governor and Council, as an 
encouragement to the work, w^ould recommend to the Assem- 
bly an abatement of the country rates (colony taxes) of the 
town.* 

The people of Waterbury bestirred themselves in due time. 
The work of " cutting bushes" was laid aside. A statute, in 
those days, required the selectmen of every town to warn 
every male person from fourteen years old to seventy (with 
certain exceptions) to work one day in each year " in cutting 
down and clearing the underwood in any highways, commons, 
or other places agreed on by the town," the object being to 
improve the pasture, &c. It was this work doubtless that was 

* Trumbull's History of Connecticut, I, 233. 



104 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 



to give way to the pressure of impending war. I copy from 
the record : — 

June ye 23 — 1707 y^ town by uoate considering our troubles and feere of an 
enemie do agree to lay a sid outing busshis which was warned for this day till 
after micalmast, and this day forthwith to go abought finshing and repayring y® 
forts, and to finish them by wensday next at night [;] and he or they y' shall 
neglect to do their part of 8"^ foorts according to y* intent of this act and direction 
of ye com~ty shall be proseeded against by distress as y^ law directs in rates [;] 
ye price of y* worck to be stated by ye com~ty — att the same meeting Leiu~Tim~ 
Stanly serj. Isaac brunson and Stephen ubson sen' was chosen a com ty with y* 
townsmen for ye above s^ worck. 

At the October Session, in 1707, the General Court made 
liberal grants of money to the frontier towns for their prompt- 
ness and zeal in fortifying themselves. Waterbury received 
£15, to be divided among its people according to the amomit 
of labor performed. 

At the October (?) Session of the Assembly, in 1708, it was 
enacted, that two forts should be erected in "Waterbury, and 
that garrisons should be maintained at the public charge at 
Simslniry and Waterbury, two in each place. Thus the gov- 
ernment assumed the responsibility and the expense of de- 
fending the people of Waterbury. The latter, however, still 
supported one of the forts at their own cost : — 

Novem'' IS"" 1708 ye town agree to have three forts in ye Town one built at ye 
west end of ye Town on the cuntry account one at Leiu Stanlys on ye cuntry ac- 
count one at John hopkins hous on ye Town account — [Dec. 13, 1708] the fort to 
be bult at the west end of the town shall be bult about Mr. Southmayds hous. 

These fortifications, so called, were distributed in such a way 
as to be of convenient access to the scattered population. They 
were constructed of logs or sticks of timber placed firmly in the 
ground, perpendicularly and close together, with a door prop- 
erly secured for passing in and out. The houses to be for- 
tified were thus surrounded by a high and strong wooden wall. 
Such a wall would afford very good security against Indian 
attacks. A small body of ti'oops placed within one of the en- 
closures, well provided with guns and ammunition, and firing 
through crevices, could resist and beat off a large body of hos- 
tile savages. To these fortified houses all the people resorted 
at night, returning again in the morning to their houses and 



HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 105 

the labors of the clay. But, notwithstanding all that was done, 
the affairs of the settlement remained in a critical state. 

In the spring of 1709, the New England colonies, at the in- 
stance of the royal government, fitted out an expedition 
against Canada, which was to meet an English force at Boston 
and sail for Quebec. Of the three hundred and fifty men 
which Connecticut provided, AYaterbury furnished four. The 
English fleet never arrived and the enterprise was a failure. 
One quarter or more of the troops, says Dr. Trumbull, died. 
Connecticut lost ninety men. 

In 1710, a party of Indians, or French and Indians, made a 
visit to Simsbury and Waterbury. In the south part of what 
is now Plymouth, they killed a man named Holt. (He may 
have been a transient person, or a hunter from another town.) 
The place is called Mount Holt, from the circumstance of the 
massacre. It is a spur of Mount Toby. About the same time, 
some Indians came down from Canada, on their customary 
errand, and ascended a hill, or mountain, on the west side of 
the river, opposite Mount Taylor, to reconnoitre. They saw 
Jonathan Scott seated under a large oak tree, in Hancock's 
Meadow, eating his dinner, with his two sons, aged fourteen 
and eleven, at a little distance. The Indians approached 
stealthily, keeping in a line with the tree and Mr. Scott. In 
this way they reached him unperceived and made him pris- 
oner. The boys took to their heels ; but the father, in order 
to save his own life, which he was given to understand would 
be taken if he refused, recalled his sons. Thus the three were 
captured. The Indians then retraced their steps rapidly with 
their prizes, having taken the precaution to cut off Scott's 
right thumb, in order to cripple him if he should make resist- 
ance. 

The wife of Jonathan Scott was Hannah Hawks, the daugh- 
ter of John Hawks of Deerfield. Her mother w^as killed in 
the Indian attack on that town on the terrible twenty-ninth of 
February, 1704. Her only sister, Elizabeth, was taken pris- 
oner and put to death on her way to Canada. Her only 
brother John and his wife and three children, were also slain. 
Poor John Hawks was thus bereft of all his family except 
Hannah of Waterbury. "What must have been the anguish of 



106 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 



botli when tliis new bereavement became known ! Hawks 
spent liis latter dajs with his daughter in Waterbury. 
The following vote explains itself: 

[July 2C"' 1710] the town by vote gaue Jonathan Scott his town rat for 1709 
for getting out of town wiHam stanerds wife [a transient person whom the select- 
men had warned out of town,] and in consideration of his present surcumstanses 
he being in captivity. 

The General Court, also, in 1711, abated the colony tax of 
Hannah Scott, " in consequence of her husband being in cap- 
tivity in Canada." 

After the peace, Jonathan Scott, with his eldest son, Jona- 
than, returned to Waterbury. The younger son, John, be- 
came accustomed to savage life, preferred it, and never return- 
ed. This preference, under similar circumstances, is not a 
solitary instance. White people who have been a long time 
with the Indians, particularly if their acquaintance began in 
childhood, very generallj^ become attached to them and their 
mode of living. It is far easier to make a savage out of, than 
into, a civilized man.* 

At the May session of 1721, Scott api)lied to the General 
Assembly for pecuniary assistance on account of the expenses 
of his captivity and his attempts to release his son. He was 
allowed ten pounds. In October, 1725, he again petitioned ; 
this time for aid to get his son out of bondage, and obtained a 
grant of £5. 

The capture of Scott and his sons, of course, produced great 
excitement among the inhabitants of "Waterbury. The alarm 
was greater from their not knowing the extent of the danger, 
or the time an impending storm might break over them. Their 
utmost vigilance might fail to give them the needed warning. 
It was in this state of uncertainty that the following vote was 
taken : 

July 2(i, 1710 the town by uote mad chose of Mr. john Soth mad de Thomas 
Judd 1ft timothy standly sr John hopkius a comity to draw up in writing the sur- 
comstanses of the town in this tim of ware and represent to the general cort to be 
holden in New haven on agst 4 1710 by their dubotys to be by them presented 
to said cort 

The General Court made provision for the safety of the 
town, as appears from the colony records : 

* See Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, II, p. 128, note. 



HISTOKY OF WATEEBUEY. 107 

In consideration of the remoteness of the town of Waterbury from the County 
town and the committee of war appointed there, by reason whereof they cannot 
have so speedy reHef up on the sudden approach of the enemy as is requisite — 
This Assembly do constitute and appoint John AlUng, Esq., Major Samuel Ells, 
Jeremiah Osborn, Esq., and Capt John munson or any three of them, to be a 
committee of war with full power up on the application of the inhabitants of said 
town of Waterbury, and in case of danger on the approach of the enemy, to raise 
and send men thither from New Haven County for their reUef by scouting or lying 
in garrison there, as occasion may require. 

The next year, in consequence of tlie continued tlireaten- 
ing aspect of affairs, the town appointed a committee as fol- 
lows : 

At a town meeting in waterbury Aprill g"" 1711 the town by note mad chos of 
Mr. John Southmad 1ft Timothy Standly Thomas Judd: John Hopkins sr Isac 
brunson sr steuen upson gorg scott as a commity to writ to the commity of safety 
at new haven and to Represent our cas to said commity consarning our present 
fears of the common enymy to take their aduice and counsel in said afar 

It is difficult to picture to ourselves the condition of our 
forefathers at the time of which I have been speaking. They 
numbered only from thirty to thirty-three families throughout 
the whole period, there being one family less in 1713, accord- 
ing to my estimate, than in 1G85. The whole population, 
doubtless, did not amount to more than two hundred souls. 
They were far removed from sympathizing friends, and were 
destitute of many of the comforts and all the luxuries of life. 
They toiled all day to wring a livelihood from an unwilling soil, 
and too frequently spent the night in watching. Their dwellings 
at this day would hardly be called tenantable. They all slept, 
during periods of supposed danger, in the fortified houses, as 
before stated. These were larger than the others, and were 
selected in part for that reason ; but the three, or the two, 
when but two existed, could not have properly accommodated 
so many. In the winter season, when all needed shelter, they 
must have been crowded to an inconvenient and unwholesome 
degree. Indian warfare is of a kind calculated to fill the 
breasts of a peaceful and exposed population with dreadful 
apprehensions and to chill the blood of the most courageous. 
The Indian prowls about by night and conceals himself by 
day and delights most to strike his victim imseen. The se- 
crecy of his movements is only equaled by his fleetness. He 



108 HISTORY OF AVATEKBUKY. 

disdains the arts and also tlie virtues of civilized warfare. 
He falls upon the weak and unprotected, slaughters old men, 
women and children, waylays the traveler and tortures th( 
captive. Cunning, treacherous, bloodthirsty, he dogs the foot- 
steps of his enemy and waits his chance. He may be beaten- 
back, but he returns to the attack and is subdued with diffi- 
culty. It is not so much his object to obtain victory as to de- 
stroy his adversary and lay waste his country. This is the foe 
with which the early settlers of Waterburj were threatened. 
It does not appear that they were actually assailed, except in 
the instances mentioned ; but they were for long jDcriods in a 
state of constant apprehension, expecting an attack and fear- 
ing surprise. The perplexing uncertainty and frequent alarms 
to which they were exposed, doubtless tried their fortitude, 
putting it to a severer test than the dangers of active and ojDen 
war. In the latter, there are excitements and incentives which 
keep up the s^^irits. The idea of " glory " strengthens the arm 
and makes the heart courageous. But Indian warfare has few 
attractions. The laurels won in an Indian fight are not many. 
A wound received in some great civilized battle is deemed 
honorable, but there is little glory in being scalped. 

After the peace of 1713, there was but little trouble or ap- 
prehension from the natives for several years. In 1720, how- 
ever, hostilities were begun, on the part of the Indians, on 
the eastern frontier of New England, when Canso, an English 
settlement in Nova Scotia, was attacked and several of its in- 
habitants killed. This outrage and others which followed led 
to a declaration of war by Massachusetts, in 1722. Connecti- 
cut was invited to join in the contest, but declined. She, how- 
ever, agreed to send a small force to protect the county of 
Hampshire from threatened attacks from the north and took 
vigorous measure to put her own frontier towns in a posture 
of defense. In the new town of Litchfield, a man (Capt. Jacob 
Griswold) was captured by a party of Indians and carried off, 
but he made his escape the first night. Soon after, (Aug. 
1722,) one Joseph Harris was murdered near the place where 
Griswold was taken.* In 1724, the Assembly gave Water- 
bury authority to employ six men "to guard y^ men in 

* Morris'3 Statistical Account of Litchfield. 



HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 109 

I tlieir outfields at the discression of y« commission officers of 
I sd. Towu." The authority thus given was exercised for about 
i one month. 

[ Though danger was sometimes apprehended, the early col- 
onists of this State did not sutler much from the resident tribes 
of Indians in the northwestern part of the Colony. The lat- 
ter, few in number, were generally peaceful and friendly. 
I They may sometimes have regarded the progress of the whites 
with jealousy and seriously contemplated hostilities; but, as 
a common thing, they conrted their alliance and gave them 
kindly assistance in ' extremity. For a time, they regarded 
with satisfaction the growth among them of a new power 
which promised to protect them from their dreaded enemies 
and oppressors, the Mohawks of the west, to whom they paid 
tribute. 

Still, our fathers were essentially a martial people. They 
loved and honored a military life. No race of men ever held 
in higher esteem individual bravery and strategical skill. 
The circumstances of their position influenced their opinions. 
The warlike virtues were to them a necessity. They were 
obliged to cultivate them for their own protection ; and what- 
ever such men seriously undertake they excel in. This conti- 
nent never could have been settled and subdued by a timid or 
even by an unmilitary people. There was a demand for war- 
riors and warriors of a superior order came forth. The early 
colonists attained tlie same excellence in the Indian fight that 
Cromwell's men did in the pitched battle. They soon became 
an overmatch for the most warlike of their enemies. They 
beat them in their own mode of carrying on a contest. They 
fought for their firesides and their existence. They prayed 
for aid to the God of Battles; but they did not despise carnal 
weapons, or neglect the lessons of worldly wisdom. They put 
their trust in Providence ; but they also kept their powder 

dry. ^ . 

Military titles were in high repute among the colonists. 
They were preferred to civil or ecclesiastical honors. A cor- 
poral was on the road to distinction. His office was occasion- 
ally, but not usually, attached to his name. A sergeant had 
attained distinction and his title was never omitted. An en- 



110 IIISTOEY OF WATERBURY. 

sign or a lieutenant was lifted quite above the heads of his fel- 
lows. A captain was necessarily a man of great influence, 
whose opinion was taken in all the weighty concerns of a 
town. Few aspired to the exalted rank of a major. It was 
the reward of the most distinguished services. Major Talcott 
and Major Treat were rendered illustrious by their titles as 
well as their achievements. 

The drum was a favorite instrument among our ancestors, 
and was j)ut to many uses. It answered the purpose of a 
town bell. It called the people to meeting on Sundays. It 
summoned them to the fortified houses at night. It gave the 
signal for the town gatherings on public business. It told the 
people when to turn out " to burn about the common fence." 

A law of the colony at the time of and after the settlement 
of Mattatuck, required that " all white male persons, from the 
age of sixteen to sixty years, except magistrates, justices of 
the peace, the secretary, church officers, allowed physicians, 
chyrurgeons, schoolmasters, representatives or deputies for the 
time being, one miller to each grist-mill, constant herdsmen 
and mariners, sherifts, constables, constant ferrymen, lame per- 
sons, or otherwise disabled in body," should bear arms and be 
subject to military duty. Six days yearly were devoted to 
martial exercises, and a guard in every town, in no case of 
less than eight soldiers, was required to be maintained on the 
sabbath and other days of public worshij). This guard, how- 
ever, was dispensed with in 1Y14, there no longer being occa- 
sion for it,* The law also provided, that every train band of 
sixty-four soldiers should have a captain, lieutenant, ensign 
and four sergeants — that a train band of thirty-two soldiers 
should have a lieutenant, ensign and two sergeants, and that 
a train band of twenty-four soldiers should " have but two ser- 
geants," in all cases, exclusive of officers. 

The Mattatuck settlers probably organized themselves into 
a military company so soon as their numbers warranted this 
measure. There is no record showing this, and they were not 
at that period exposed to the attacks of an enemy, but such 
was the custom of the times. As early as 1682, they had two 

* Field's Middlesex County. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. Ill 

sergeants in tlie persons of Thomas Judd, Sen. and Jolm Stan- 
ley. (These individuals at that date were so denominated.) 
They mnst then have numbered, at least, twenty-four soldiers 
besides officers. In records bearing the dates of 1686, 1687, 
and 1688, Judd is, in a few instances, called ensign, but these 
are copied records, and a title which he afterwards bore, not 
found in the original, may have been applied to him negli- 
gently ; for, it will be observed, he is repeatedly styled ser- 
geant during the years mentioned. 

After Andros' usurpation and the resumption of the govern- 
ment under the charter in 1689, the AVaterbury train band was 
found to number, at least, thirty-two rank and file and became 
entitled to a higher grade of officers. It was then, Oct. 1689, 
that John Stanley was appointed and confirmed by the Gene- 
ral Court as lieutenant, and Thomas Judd, (Sen.,) as ensign. 
At the same time, Samuel Hickox (Sen.) and (probably) Tim- 
othy Stanley were chosen sergeants. Isaac Bronson and John 
Welton were the corporals. 

After Lieut. Stanley's removal from the town and Sergeant 
Hickox's death, both about 1694-5, Ensign Judd was made 
lieutenant ; Sergeant Timothy Stanley, ensign ; Corporal Isaac 
Bronson and (probably) Dea. Thomas Judd, sergeants. Lieut. 
Judd died in 1Y02-3, and Ensign Stanley succeeded him in 
command of the company, while Deacon Thomas Judd was 
made ensign. These continued to be the officers till 1715, 
when the soldiers of the company numbered, for the first 
time, sixty-four, and from this circumstance were allowed to 
have a captain. Lieut. Thomas Judd (the deacon) was pro- 
moted to this high position, and Ens. John Hopkins was aj)- 
pointed lieutenant. The next captains before 1732, were, suc- 
cessively, Dr. Ephraim Warner, "William Hickox and William 
Judd. In 1732, the company was divided into two by author, 
ity of the Assembly. William Judd and Timothy Hopkins 
appear to have been the captains in that year. 

But during the period to which the preceding remarks im- 
mediately refer, Waterburysufi'ered severely from other causes 
than w^ar. In Feb., 1691, happened the Great Flood, so 
called. Owing to rains and the sudden melting of the snows, 
the river left its banks and covered the meadows, rising to a 



112 HISTOKY OF WATEEBUEY. 

height never known before or since. The water flowed along 
the low ground back of the house of Mrs. Giles Ives, and sub- 
merged a portion of the Green Avhich is in front of the Epis- 
copal Church. Great damage was done to the river lands 
and sore distress was the consequence. A large proportion 
had been recently plowed, while the surface had been loosened 
and softened by the rains and the coming out of the frost. 
As a consequence, the soil was wholly washed away in many 
places, while that which remained was covered with sand and 
stones. Thus the suifering inhabitants saw their labors come 
to naught. Their best lands were almost ruined and their 
hopes for the present blasted. This dreadful calamity was the 
cause of great discouragement. Many forsook the place in 
despair. 

We have recently had examples of what the ISTaugatuck can 
do in freshet-time. On the 13th day of November, 1853, there 
came down the valley, on short notice, such a body of water 
as had not been seen by the oldest persons living. Those not 
acquainted with the ancient performances of our usually quiet 
and orderly river, were astonished and in some instances dis- 
mayed. Some of the manufacturing companies suffered greatly 
from the washing away of their race-way embankments. 
Bridges were carried off, and in Derby (Ansonia) some persons 
were drowned who happened to be crossing a foot-bridge at 
the time it gave way. 

On the thirteenth of April, 1854, there was another great 
flood, the water rising in Waterbury within eighteen inches 
as high as in the previous November. At Derby, owing to a 
greater freshet in the Ilousatonic, the water was highest in 
April. 

The most recent of the great floods, previous to the two last, 
occurred in 1801. 

One reason, doubtless, why the floods of the Nangatuck do 
less damage now-a-days than formerly to the meadows upon 
its banks, is owing to the fact that the trees and bushes wliich 
once obstructed the current, forcing the water out of its natu- 
ral course and throwing it into eddies, have been removed. It 
is when water is resisted by a barrier, or is fretted continually 
by obstacles, that it becomes such a terriiic physical agent. 




ENa/.WJ-UJm SAMIIUJ. SAl: 



'■2/^ 



^ 



HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 113 

In October, 1712, a great sickness, mortal beyond example 
in the previous history of the town, broke out. It raged until 
September, 1713, carrying off, in eleven months, more than 
one tenth of the j)opulation. It was known afterwards, for a 
long time, as the Great Sickness. The well were not numerous 
enough to take care of the sick and bury the dead. Several 
families lost three of their number, and several others two. 
Of the twenty-one victims, (ten of them heads of families,) 
seven died between the sixth and twenty -first of March, 
1712-13. 



CHAPTEE X. 



BACHELOR PROPRIETORS. 



By reason of the Indian wars, the great flood, the great sick- 
ness and other causes incident to a new and feeble settlement, 
in want of almost everything, to say nothing of a laborious and 
niggardly agriculture, Waterbury did not flourish for a long 
time after its settlement. The population was as great (if not 
greater) in 1685 or 1686, eight or nine years after the planters 
left their Farmington homes, as at any time during the first 
thirty-five years. It was at the period first named that the pro- 
prietors, who had secured their rights, began to remove from 
the town. Joseph Hickox led the way, setting a very bad ex- 
ample. He may have been deficient in " backbone." He 
was in Woodbury early in 1686. He died there the next year, 
his being the first death among the old proprietors. In 1687, 
Thomas Hancox sold his house and returned to Farmington. 
Soon after, Benjamin Jones removed to New Haven and died 
in 1689. Thomas Newell disappeared in 1690, going back to 



114 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

Farmington. Samuel Scott followed liim in tlie same year, or 
the year after. John Newell and John Stanley turned their 
footsteps in the same direction, the first in 1694, the last early 
in 1695. Stanley was a prominent and most influential man, 
but not, it seems, of the iron mould required for the valley of 
the Naugatuck. His defection was much regretted, John 
Scovill went off in 1696 and brought up in Haddam. John 
Warner stuck by till about 1703, when he too gave up and 
went back to Farmington. Joseph Gaylord's courage held out 
till 1707, when he followed his sons to Durham. Thomas 
Judd, Jr., town clerk and school master, whom the people de- 
lighted to honor, persevered in a course of well-doing till 1709, 
when, for some reason unknown to the writer, he removed to 
Hartford, (now West Hartford.) He was the last of the old 
proprietors of Waterbury who thought it their duty or for 
tlieir interest to leave their brethren in the hour of darkness 
and peril. They numbered eleven in all. One only, Eichard 
Porter, went aw\ay at a later period. All the others continued 
at their posts and laid their bones in the town they had 
founded. 

During the period of gloom about which I have been wait- 
ing, many of the proprietors who remained were removed by 
death. The first who died was Robert Porter, the second, 
Philip Judd, both in 1689. The next was John Carrington, in 
1690. Edmund Scott, Sen., died in 1691 ; Abraham Andruss, 
(cooper,) in 1693; Samuel Hickox, a leading man, in 1694; 
John Bronson, in 1696 ; Jeremiah Peck, the first minister, in 
1699 ; Obadiah Richards, late in 1702 ; Thomas Judd, Sen., 
second to none as a man of character, early in 1703 ; Thomas 
Richasou, in ]712. There were ten in all, which number, 
added to the eleven that removed, makes twenty-one of the 
original proprietors who had disappeared in 1713, leaving fif- 
teen who were still living in Waterbury at that time. 

It has been often remarked that sickness and mortality are 
greater in the first years of a settlement than at a later period. 
While the first generation is short-lived, the second or third is 
often distinguished by unusual longevity. These facts are 
illustrated in the history of Waterbury. Its early inhabitants, 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 115 

in too manj instances, died young, while its later population 
is somewhat remarkable for instances of old age.* 

Besides the losses referred to, there were many young men, 
sons of proprietors, who either died or removed from the town 
during the period in question. The mortality among them 
was very considerable. The families of the proprietors wdio 
died, in many cases, left the place. This was the fact with 
the entire families of Philip Judd, John Carrington and Abra- 
ham Andruss, 2d, and parts of the families of Samuel Hickox, 
John Bronson, Obadiah Richards and Thomas Richason. If 
a proprietor removed, he, as a general rule, took all his near 
kindred with him ; or if any were left, they did not stay long. 
Thus the names of Hancox, Jones, Newell, Stanley, and Gay- 
lord, became extinct, temporarily or permanently. 

After several of the inhabitants had removed from the town, 
and the young men had manifested an inclination to follow 
the example on account of the gloomy prospects at home, the 
proprietors began to inquire what the emergency demanded. 
That their own sons should threaten to leave them in the 
midst of their trials, was the source of unaffected grief. Them, 
therefore, they thought to make contented by more liberal of- 
fers of certain pecuniary advantages. They resorted to the 
means that the fathers of the present age sometimes employ, 
when their children contract roving habits. That they might 
stick by their sires and thus manifest their attachment, they 
gave them an important portion of their estate. In a proprie- 
tors' meeting held in December, 1697, tlie proprietors granted 
to each young man certain lands and a propriety of £40 in the 
commons, all on certain conditions. For very good reasons, 
the new proprietors were not to have a voice in giving away 
lands. This limitation of power was designed to prevent them 
from helping themselves too liberally, as boys are wont to do, 
when they have free access to the paternal estate. I give be- 
low an exact copy of the record. 



* The oldest person that has died within the limits of ancient Waterbury was John Bronson, of 
Wolcott, who deceased in Nov., 1833, aged one hundred and two years and three months. The 
next oldest (who died in present Waterbury) was David Prichard, whose death took place Dec. 
23, 1738, at the age of one hundred and one years and seven months. I have the names of sixty- 
two others who have died within the limits of the old township between the ages of 90 and 100. 



116 HISTORY OF WATERBUET. 

• Att a metting of y* propriators in waterbury december 20"* 1697. 

In order to y® getting such yong men y' desire to settell in y« town y* propri- 
ators grant to each one y' desires to settell for their incuragment or accomada- 
tion thirty acres of upland swam [p] and bogey meadow as alotment with a pro- 
priety in ye commons according to theyr alotment with a hous lot and four acres 
for a pastor to be layd out to them by y* town measurer giuing them four years 
to build a tenantable hous not less than sixteen foots square and he y« takes up a 
lot and is not in way of improuement and shall not build accordingly shall forfit 
his lot [;] and what land has been giuen to any yong man shall be accounted as 
part of his lot [;] this act not to pregedes former grants nor highways [;] this act 
to be in force for al such as Hue a mongs us as they shall com of age and 
desire thispriuiledg and be acsepted by y« propriators but y* priuiledg of acting in 
giuing away land we do not give them [;] this alotment to be deemed a forty 
pound alotment in all diuisions and so to have theyr propriety in y* commons and 
after 2 [altered from "4"] years each alotment to be deemed at too [altered from 
"4"] pounds Estate in y* bareing town charg: for 4 years, and after according as 
they improue according to law or y« apprisall of other lands in y* town and not 
to make sale of any but y' improued & subdued but if any dye here his heirs 
to poses his lands 

At subsequent meetings, certain regulations were establish- 
ed, designed for the government of the new proprietors in the 
taking up of their lands, &c. 

Att a meeting may 15: 1699 y^ propriators granted y® yong men liberty to 
take up their thirty acers in three places and if any haue perticular grants of land 
to haue them counted in y^ 30 acres and not to hinder theyr pitches* and he y* 
has had 3 pitches to haue on [one] more. 

Dec 23 1700 the propriators granted that thos yong men that build in y« town 
plat shall haue six acers for a pastor not takeing it where it would' do for a hous 
lot and they y' go out furder to build to haue four acers for a hous lot 

The vote of December, 1697, laid the foundation of what 
were afterwards called bachelor rights or accommodations. In 
order the more effectually to secure its objects, and to constrain, 
if possible, those who took advantage of it to remain in the 
town, the proprietors, at a subsequent period, so altered its 
conditions as to require those claiming its benefits to reside 
Avith them five years after building a house. This is the sup- 
plementary act : 

At y« same meeting [Feb. 22''. 1702-3] y« proprietors took up y* obligation 
of y« yong men for subdueing and clearing as in y' act december 20'' : 1697 : and 
thos y* haue now built according to sd act to in habit fine years from this day and 

* The word pitch in the record seems to be used in the sense of choice or lot. When a per- 
son selected his land and brought in an account of it to the measurer, he brought in his pitch. 
Each act of choice by which he selected a separate tract of land was a distinct pitch. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 117 

then their lands be their own, and others y' are now acsepted on bacheldors 
accomodations, and hereaftor shall be excepted shall build acording to said act 
and inhabit fine years after they haue build and then their lands be their own. 

This vote, so far as its action was retrospective — so far as it 
affected those " yong men " who had ah-eady been made pro- 
prietors under the act of December, 169Y — was pLainly ille- 
gal ; and the attempt to enforce it was not persisted in. 

The custom of giving away the lands of the town, instead of 
disposing of them by division, was established as the fixed 
policy of the proprietors. This policy, because, probably, of 
some objection made to it, was declared in a vote, as follows : 

At a meeting of y* proprietors in Waterbury January *7th 1705-6 it being 
uoated whether y^ proprietors would diuide theyr commons according to purchase 
or no y^ uoat past in y« negitiue y' they would not deuide their commons but in 
ye second uoate y' they would gie away their land to perticular men as they see 
cause or as they iudg men haue need of it. 

But notwithstanding these signal proofs of liberality and 
paternal regard, on the part of the proprietors, the youngsters, 
in too many cases, would not remain and claim their lands ; or 
if they made a show of staying, they frequently left the settle- 
ment when they had resided in it long enough to make sure of 
their bachelor rights. This conduct was ungrateful, not to say 
provoking. Considering that the town had not, at this time, a 
single able bodied man to spare, one is tempted to call it cow- 
ardly. After several young persons had removed, under the 
circumstances named, the proprietors in meeting, January, 
7th, 1705-6, voted, " to take the forfiture of all the lands that 
was given to Jos. Gaylord, Jun., Joseph Hickox, Abraham 
Andruss, Jr. and Benjamin Warner that they cant hold by the 
records." But the lands given to these persons proved to be 
beyond the reach of the givers, for their names were continued 
as proprietors. 

The proprietors' profuse liberality in giving away their 
lands and their marked partiality for those who dwelt among 
them, caused no complaint and no remark, so long as the 
lands had little value — so long as it was difficult to induce men 
to take them and improve them. But circumstances changed. 
It was found, in process of time, that in some parts of the 
town, there were richer lands than those first taken up. After 



118 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

the peace of 1713, the population began to increase. The 
prospects for " real estate " materially improved. Then it was 
that inrpiiries began to be made into the doings of proprietors. 
Self interest quickened the sense of right and justice. Those 
that had not participated in the grants made, saw distinctly 
the grievous wrong that had been done. Those persons that 
had removed from the town found that the proprietors that 
remained were rapidly stripping them of their estate, passing 
it over to others without consideration, for the sole purjjose of 
obtaining permanent settlers. They complained as men would 
naturally do. They disputed the legality as well as the justice 
of the proceedings. They had originally, they claimed, an 
undivided right in all the lands of Waterbury which they had 
secured by purchase and deed, which right had been put be- 
yond a doubt by the town patent. What they had fairly 
purchased they had honestly paid for. And there was no 
equitable or lawful mode, they contended, by which this com- 
mon property could be disposed of, except by division among 
the proprietors according to ownership. A majority, they said, 
had no power to bind the minority, except in case of equal 
distribution. They furthermore complained that they had not 
been warned to those meetings of the proprietors which had 
made the extraordinary grants complained of. I copy from the 
records Dea. Stanley's communication protesting against the 
obnoxious grants. There is pith in it, wlien the crust is once 
penetrated and the meaning arrived at : 

To the propriator inhabitance of Waterbury assembled april 12-1'715 breth- 
ren andnabours I the subscriber haueing to grate disatisfaction Obserued the way 
of your giuing or granting away of land To bring in inhabitance according to an 
act made for that purpos upon record desembr, 20 — 1697 which hath a derect 
tendensy to uialate and destroy and eonterary to right ecquity and justis or any 
well digested reson to inuaid the property of the first purchesars i suppose it to 
be a truth not to be gainsayed that Those that were the first purchesurs of the 
land within the township did thereby aquere a right according to the proportion 
of what payments they made by order of the Comity for the setling of the place 
and the articles they fullfilled and to be subdiuided as is at large comprised in the 
pattin [patent] to the then propriator inhabitanc and their heirs. I haue no 
where seen that the antient propriators did impower the mager part by uoat to 
giue the land at their plesure — the receiued prinsiple I perceaue if I mestake not 
is that the majer parte of the propriators in comon may by uoat when aposed by 
the miner giue away from the miner when and as they pleas — that which is con- 
sequent upon it is that the majer may combien and giue it all to and amongst them 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 119 

selves so that the miner shall haue nither land nor comonig [commoning] * * 
* * * for my own part to my best remembrance I haue neuer been warned 
to any propriatory meeting or at the making s^ act in IGO'Z besure I was not there 
to my kuowlidge — others haue not been warned as they haue told [me] but upon 
the whole i take this opertunity to declare and protest aganst the propriators 
proseding any father in giuing [or] granting any more in [accordance] with sd 
act to any purticolure person or persons and also i do protest aganst all the grants 
that haue been made according to sd act to make propriator inhabitance — i haue 
here unto sett my hand as one of the patentese and one of the first propriators 
and were posesed of one hundred pound right of my own and by distrbution of 
John [newel's] estate all his right in the outlands fell to me — pray let there be no 
strife between us [&c]. 

John Standley 
witness 

Jeremiah peck 
Thomas Clark. 

At the same meeting at wliicli Jolin Stanley's protest was 
presented, the proprietors, as if to fortify themselves in what 
they had done, and to make sm-e the grants, passed a vote 
which is recorded as follows : 

It was inacted by voat that the land formerly giuen to the bacheldors* shall be 
ther one [own] exsepting thos that haue not fuUfild the conditions nor like to 
fulfiU them 

We agree that all the grants of land formerly giuen by the town and propria- 
tors shall stand good 

At the same time that this confirmatory act w^as passed, 
another, quite remarkable in some of its particulars, was 
voted. It appears to have been aimed at the bachelors. It 
attempted to break faith with them by cutting them off from 
future divisions of land ; and must have been without any 
binding force. On account of its objectionable features, the 
act was repealed in the following December. At the same 
time, a division of land was agreed upon, in which each orig- 
inal proprietor having a £100 right was to have eighty acres 
and others in proportion, and each bachelor proprietor thirty 
acres. Eight acres of it might be taken up in the sequester- 



* The reader will understand that the bachelor proprietors were not all literal bachelors. 
They were men of diOferent ages, married and unmarried, who applied for the privileges grant- 
ed in the acts of 1697 nnd 1702-3 and were accepted by the proprietors. They were, how- 
ever, all what may be called young men, though a few may have been over thirty. In a few in- 
stances, persons under twenty-one years of age were admitted as bachelor proprietors with the 
understanding that they were to have five years after they came of age to fulfill the condi- 
tions. 



120 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 



ed land. The lot appears to have been drawn Dec. 15th, 1715, 
and as a pacifying measnre, apparently, " it was agreed that 
Dea. John Stanley* should have the first lot for John Newel's 
lot," of which he was the owner. John Southmayd, as a com- 
pliment, was to have the second lot. There are, on the list of 
1715, thirty-six original and fifty-two bachelor proprietors. 

A propritors meting in Waterbury desmbr tlie 20 1716 and it was acted by 
voat that the yong propriators shall be recorded in the 2 cond book of records 
with the prouisiall or conditions that the propriators laid on the sd bachelldor elot- 
ments 

Dotr Daniell porter and Edman Scott did protest against the act of the yong 
propriators hauing their lands Recorded in the book of records 

Dr. Porter was somewhat in the way of protesting in pro- 
prietor's meeting. The difiiculty in his case seems to have 
arisen from his having no sons yet old enongh to be admitted 
as bachelor proprietors. He had therefore not been benefited 
but injured by the proceedings relating to them. He had 
afterwards, however, a son who was admitted. 

On the seventh day of February, 1720-1, a committee was 
appointed " to sarch the records and finde out what bachelurs 
haue fulfiled articles and whoo haue not fulfiled articles and 
macke returns to the propriators." A report was made to a 
meeting held the next day, as follows : 

We being apointed a comety to macke sarch to finde out who ware admited upon 
bachulders acomedations and who have futilled the condetions to macke the land 
theire owne and who have not fulfiled the articles — febeuary 8 1721 

Those that haue fulfiled 



William hikcox 


Stephen wellton 


nathaniel Richason 


John Gaylard 


Joseph hikcox 


thomas Richards 


Joseph Gaylard 


Robert Scott 




these on a 


John worner scr 


John Richason 


gorg scott 


40 poun 


thomas Richason 


thomas hikcox 


dauid scott 


- propriaty 


John Brunson ser 


Richard welton 


John welton 


when we 


Isarael Richason 


Benjamin worner 


J 


deuided 



* Two of Dea. Stanley's sons, John Stanley, Jr. and Samuel Stanley, appear to have been ad- 
mitted as bachelor proprietors this year, their names appearing in the division. John Stanley, 
Jr., lived in Farmington. I am unable to find that he ever lived in Waterbury after his fathers' 
removal in 1695. Samuel Stanley resided in Waterbury, but went away before 1715. So far as 
it appears, neither of them could have been admitted proprietors in accordance with the votes 
of 1097 and 1702-3, and neither could have complied with the conditions of those votes. I sus- 
pect the £40 proprieties were given them by special vote and unconditionally, or on easy con- 
ditions, for the purpose of removing the father's discontentment. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBTJEY. 



121 



Isaac Brunson 
Eprim worner 
samuell Stanndly 
Benjamin Barns jur 
tbomas welton 
Joseph Brunson 
Stepen ubson jur 



Ebenezer Richason 
benjamin Richards 
thomas Barns 
Stephen hopkins 
obediah scott 
ebenezer brunson 
thomas dark 



John barns 
thomas brunson 
Joseph lewes 
obediah richards 
abrahani andrusjur 



Those admited that haue not fulfiled but in a likely 

timothy standly ser 
timothy hopkins 



John scouell 
Jonathan scott jur 
Jonn standly jur 
William Judd 
daniell porter jur 
John Judd 



■ay 

thomas andrus 
benjamin worner jur 
gorg scott jur samuell porter 

John hikcox Ebenezer hikcox 

samuell scott John Richards jur 

thomas ubson gorg welton 



Those that haue not fulfiled as we Judg 

William gaylord Stephen hikcox daniel porter son of 

John worner tailer moses brunson richard 

Timothy standly \ 

John Hopkins V comety 

Thomas Judd ) 

Atameating of the propriators of waterbury febeiiary 8 1721 they agre by note 
to axsepte y« return of the comety and order it to be entered upon record 

Thus, tliirty-eiglit persons were reported as having "ful- 
filed" the articles, eighteen as "in a likely way to fulfil," 
and five as having " not fulfiled." The last, of course, had 
forfeited their rights. The eighteen who were " in a likely 
way," were yet, I conclude, on probation, their five years not 
having expired. They all finally secured their rights. 

February 8th, 1720-1, there was a renewed attempt to make 
a considerable addition to the propriety rights of the old 
proprietors, and to increase their proportional interest in the 
undivided lands, thus counteracting, as far as might be, what 
had been done for the bachelors. A vote was passed aug- 
menting the proprieties of the original proprietors ; but they 
were to submit to the conditions of the acts of 1697 and 
1702-3, as to building, &c. ; and what their sons had received 
was to go towards the increase. But it was not satisfactory 
on account of the restrictions, and a year afterwards a modi- 
fied vote was carried : 

February 28*'', 1721-2 It was agreed upon by vote that where as an Act In 
February S"*, 1721 [altered from 1720] was grevious to some of our proprietors 



122 HISTORY OF WATEKBUBT. 

we now Further Agree that Every original proprietor or propriety Shall have two 
bacheldor Lots upon an hundred pound propriety and proportionally upon Greater 
and lesser proprietyes with what was Granted Last February notwithstanding 
what their sons have had which bacheldor Lott Is Looked upon to be now 68 
Acres And a forty pound propriety And the Obligation upon those Granted In 
February 8"» 1721 [altered from 1720] and now Granted to be taken off And be 
free from Any Incumberance of building and cohabiting. And the Grant to the 
Bacheldors that were admited upon a forty pound propriety that they Shall have 
as a Division of fifty five Acres to Every bacheldor that has fuUfilled Articles or 
In Away to fullfill articles as they are returned by A Committy Appointed for 
February and Recorded in the old proprietors Book, and for the future our De- 
visions shall be made upon Original proprietors with the addition made to their 
propriety and upon bacheldor proprietors According to their propriety And It is 
the true Intent and meaning of the proprietors In this act and Shall be so taken 
and Explained that Every original propriety of one hundred pound shall have two 
bacheldor proprietyes and no more and so proportionably for Greater or Lesser 
proprieties and that allDevisions of all our Lands after this shall be made upon the 
present original proprietors and bacheldor proprietors that are already made 

Eacli original proprietor of £100 obtained by tins act an 
immediate addition to his propriety of two bachelor accommo- 
dations, amounting to £80, carrying with them the divisions 
which had ah-eady been made to the bachelors. Others were 
favored, in like manner, according to their existing interests, 
the addition being always eighty per cent, of the original pro- 
priety. Thenceforth, the vote declared, lands should be dis- 
posed of by division and the divisions should be according to 
interest. Thus the system of unequal distribution and special 
grants, with its abuses, was put an end to. 

By far the largest proportion of the bachelor proprietors 
were sons of the original proprietors. About nine were grand- 
sons. Tlie remainder, two only, Joseph Lewis and Thomas 
Clark, came from other towns. The last was the adopted son 
of Timothy Stanle3% Nearly one quarter of them were made 
proprietors, in 1699 ; more than one third in 1715, and the re- 
mainder, with two or three exceptions, between these j^eriods. 

The proprietors agreed, Nov. 27th, 1722, that there should 
be reserved, "for the use of the proprietors," six propriety 
lots, or rights, of £40 each. They were reserved to meet such 
contingencies as might naturally be expected to arise. It was 
determined that they should have all the divisions which had 
already been made on the bachelor lots, except " the eight acres 
n sequester," and all the future divisions. On the 28th of 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 123 

Nov. 1722, one of these lots was granted to Moses Bronson. 
It was tlie fifth propriety k)t, so called, and had been formerly 
given to Bronson and forfeited. At the same time, the fourth 
propriety lot, (which had belonged to Daniel Porter, the son of 
Richard, and been forfeited by him,) was granted to John War- 
ner, son of Ephraim, and William Scott. The other four lots, 
the first, second, third, and sixth, were ordered, Nov. 29th, 17-6, 
to be sold, and the money resers^ed for building a new meeting 
house. They bronglit £262. These six lots were always en- 
tered, in the record, by their numbers. To the fourth and fifth 
were added the names of the grantees or owners — thus, "5th 
Propriety Lott, Moses Bronson," &c. 

There were some persons who were accepted as bachelor 
proprietors, who did not comj)ly with the conditions and who 
therefore forfeited their rights. I give their names. William 
Gaylord, John Warner, " tailor,"* Stephen Hickox, Daniel 
Porter, son of Richard, Zachariah Baldwin, Jr., of Milford,t 
Obadiah Scovill, Samuel Warner and Moses Bronson, (after- 
wards re-admitted.) 

There were in the end, six forfeited propriety lots that re- 
mained in the hands of the proprietors. These w^ere the six 
that were reserved, in 1622, " for the use of the proprietors." 

On the twenty-eighth day of November, 1722, a list was 
made out for the purpose of a land division, containing the 
names of the original and bachelor proprietors. It is the first 
complete list to be found on record. We find here thirty-six 
original and fifty -seven bachelor proprietors, the first having, 
unitedly, £3,165, and the last, £2,280, propriety. If w^e add 
to these the six propriety lots of £40 each, the school lot 
of £150 and the ministry lot of £150, granted in 1715, we 



* On the eleventh of March, 1745-6, Ebenezer Warner, 3d, and George Nichols petitioned the 
proprietors for the bachelor right of John Warner (tailor) which they claimed to have pur- 
chased. The petition was addressed " To the worshipfull Moderator and Gentlemen Proprie- 
tors." The petitioners laid claim to all the lands laid out on Warner's lot — the thirty-eight 
acres at the date of his acceptance (1701)— the thirty acres of 1715— the fifty -five acres of 1721-2 
—the forty acres of 1723— the forty acres of 1727— the thirty acres of 1738-9—" the sixteen 
acres and twenty rods in the village soon after; in the whole amounting to two hundred and 
forty-nine acres and twenty rods," The meeting voted " not to do anything." 

t Baldwin was accepted in 1710, but in 1713, he sold all his right and title of lands in Wa- 
terbury with his bachelor propriety and all the improvements which he had made " with the 
building and other timber," to George Scott, and returned to Milford. 



12i HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

have a total of £5,985, To this sum must be addedthe increase 
of the old proprietor and school allotments, amounting to 
eighty per cent. (The new ministry lot did not have the 
bachelor addition.) Add this increase (£2,652) to the former 
total, (£5,985,) and we have a grand total of £8,637. On this 
amount, all the divisions of land were made in 1722 and 
afterwards. 

If we compare the list of original proprietors of 1722 with 
that of 1688, we shall observe several changes of names and 
a few additions, Capt. Thomas Judd, Wm. (meaning the 
son of William) stands in the place of Smith Judd, as he 
was at first called. Thomas Judd, Jones, is substituted for 
Benjamin Jones. John Judd occupies the place of Ensign 
Judd. Joseph Hickox, John Richards and Jonathan Scott stand 
in the places of Mr. Frayser, Eobert Porter and Samuel Scott. 
Abraham Andruss, cooper, is written for Abraham Andruss, 
Jr., the elder Andruss now having a son who was a bachelor 
proprietor. Mr. Jeremiah Peck and John Southmayd are new 
names. " Timothy Stanley, original," is thus written to dis- 
tinguish his original from his bachelor propriety. "With these 
exceptions, the names are the same as in 1688, 

Of the fifty-seven bachelor proprietors on the catalogue of 
1722, the name of one, that of John Stanley, Jr.,* is sometimes 
omitted. The whole number of proprietors, original and bach- 
elor, counting Stanley, Jr., is ninety-three. Adding the six 
propriety lots, the school lot and the ministry lot of 1715, and 
we have one hundred and one proprieties entitled to land 
divisions. 

I copy below the list of Nov., 1722, adding to the name of 
each proprietor the amount of his propriety before and after 
the bachelor addition. 



*" [March 111730-31] It was by vote Agreed and Concluded that they [the proprietors] 
Look upon John Standlies Jur Right to be Good to a Bacheldor Lott and he ought to have a note 
for his Land to be laid out and he Engaged that the Proprietors might have the Eight acres In the 
Sequester to be Disposed by them as they See Cause." 

In March, 1757, the proprietors again passed a vote in favor of John Stanley, Jr's right and 
directed his name to be added to the list of proprietors. 



IIISTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 



125 



ORIGINAL PROPRIETOR! 



Abraham Andruss, Sen., 
Abraham Andruss, Cooper, 
Benjamin Barns, Sen., 
Isaac Bronson, Sen., 
John Bronson, Sen., 
John Carrington, 
Joseph Gaylord, Sen., 
Thomas Hancox, 
Joseph Hickox, Sen., 
Samuel Hickox, Sen., 
Lieut. John Hopkins, 
John Judd, Sen., 
PhiHp Judd, 

Capt. Thomas Judd, Wm., 
Tiiomas Judd, Jones, 
Thomas Judd, Jr., 
John Newell, 
Thomas Newell, 
Mr. Jeremiah Peck, 
Daniel Porter, Sen., 



i 

1 


i i 

11 


e 80 


£144 


100 


180 


100 


180 


100 


180 


80 


144 


60 


108 


80 


144 


100 


180 


60 


108 


100 


180 


100 


180 


100 


180 


80 


144 


100 


180 


100 


180 


100 


180 


100 


180 


90 


162 


150 


270 


95 


171 



Richard Porter, 
John Richards, Sen., 
Obadiah Richards, Sen. 
Thomas Richason, 
Edmund Scott, Sen., 
Edmund Scott, Jr., 
Jonathan Scott, Sen., 
Sohn Scovill, Sen., 
John Southmayd, 
John Stanley, Sen., 
Timothy Stanley, original, 100 
Stephen Upson, Sen., 
Daniel Warner, 
John Warner, Sen., 
Thomas Warner, 
John Welton, Sen., 

A Great Lot for Schools, 150 
A Great Lott for the Ministry, 1 50 



ci; 


f= ^ 


50 


90 


80 


144 


80 


144 


50 


90 


100 


180 


70 


126 


50 


90 


80 


144 


150 


270 


100 


180 


100 


180 


50 


90 


60 


180 


90 


1C2 


100 


180 


80 


144 



Bachelor Proprietors, eacli having £40 propriety : 



Abraham Andruss, Jr. 

Thomas Andruss, 

Benjamin Barnes, Jr., 

John Barnes, 

Thomas Barnes, 

Ebenezer Bronson, 

Isaac Bronson, Jr., 

John Bronson, son of Isaac, 

Joseph Bronson, 

Thomas Bronson, 

Thomas Clark, 

John Gaylord, 

Joseph Gaylord, Jr., 

Ebenezer Hickox, 

John Hickox, 

Joseph Hickox, 

Thomas' Hickox, 



270 



William Hickox, 

Timothy Hopkins, 

Stephen Hopkins, 

John Judd, Jr., 

William Judd,* 

Joseph Lewis, 

Daniel Porter, son of Daniel, 

Samuel Porter, 

Benjamin Richards, 

John Richards, Jr., 

Obadiah Richards, Jr., 

Thomas Richards, Sen., 

Ebenezer Richason, 

Israel Richason, 

John Richason, 

Nathaniel Richason, 

Thomas Richason, Jr., 



* William Judd, after 1722, is generally " William Judd, bach, lott," to distinguish him proba- 
bly, from the original subscriber by that name who forfeited and who was his grandfather. 



126 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

David Scott, Samuel Warner, son of Thomas, 

George Scott, Sen., George Welton, 

George Scott, Jr., John Welton, Jr., 

Jonathan Scott, Jr., Richard Welton, 

Obadiah Scott, Stephen Welton, 

Eobert Scott, Thomas Welton, 

Samuel Scott, 

John Scovill, Jr., 1" Propriety Lot, 

John Stanley, Jr., 2'' Propriety Lot, 

Samuel Stanley, S^ Propriety Lot, 

Lieut. Timothy Stanley, bachelor lot, 4"" Propriety Lot, 

Stephen Upson, Jr., John Warner, 



Thomas Upson, William Scott, 

Benjamin Warner, Sen., 5"" Propriety Lot, i 

Benjamin Warner, Jr., Moses Bronson,f ) 

Ephraim Warner, C Propriety Lot. 
John Warner, Sen.,* bachelor lot, 

In the early history of Waterhury, tlie town, for conven- 
ience, was divided in four sections. That part of it lying 
east of tlie Naugatuck Kiver and north of the Farmington 
road was the northeast quarter. That part situated east of 
tlie river and south of said road was the south east quarter. 
Of the territory west of the river, that M^hich lay north of the 
Woodbury road was the northwest quarter, and that south 
of said road was the southwest quarter. When deeds were 
given, the quarter in which the land lay w^as nsually named. 
There was a land measurer for each quarter, whose duty it 
was to lay out the land within his territory. When a lot was 
drawn for a division, a certificate or " note " was given by the 
town clerk to each proprietor or claimant, directed to the 
town measurer, authorizing him to lay out on a certain pro- 
priety right and to the person to whom it was given, the 
agreed number of acres. These " notes " w^ere written on 
small pieces of paper from three to four inches square, several 
of which are now in my possession ; some of them dating as 
far back as 1723. When a piece of land was found which 
suited the holder, which was often not till the lapse of many 
years, he got it measured and indorsed upon the paper. There 

* John Warner, Sen. bachelor lot — The Sen. is intended to distinguish him from "-John War- 
ner, tailor," (son of Thomas,) who had been made a bachelor and forfeited. The bachelor lot 
characterizes the lot as distinct from the original propriety of his father, which is also written 
John Warner, Sen. 

tThis name is omitted in the subsequent lists. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 127 

must be many of these certificates, given for the later land di- 
visions, still outstanding and still unsatisfied. 

After 1722, the land divisions were frequent. In 1723, one 
acre on £1 was distributed, (or a " note " given for it ;) in 
1727, one acre ; in 1730, forty acres, one rood, and ten rods 
on £100, in the " north west quarter ;" in 1738-9, one quarter 
of one acre on £1 ; in 1747-8, one quarter of an acre ; in 1751, 
one half an acre ; in 1759, one half an acre on £1, and five 
acres "in sequester" on £100; in 1780, one quarter of an 
acre on £1, and two and a half acres on £100 " in sequester ;" 
in 1792, one half an acre on £1, and two and a half acres on 
£100; in 1802, one quarter of an acre on £1. Up to 1745, 
there had been two hundred and forty-nine acres and twenty 
rods distributed on each bachelor propriety. In 1780, the 
number had been increased to four hundred and eleven acres 
and twenty rods. From this, an approximate estimate may be 
made of the quantity of land received, in the same time, by 
each original proprietor, or his representatives. 

Before the incorporation of the town, the land grants made 
by the proprietors appear to have been ratified by the grand 
committee. Any want of formality on the part of the pro- 
prietors would, I suppose, have been corrected by this subse- 
quent ratification. But after Mattatuck was made a town, 
things were changed. The forms of law must be observed, in 
order that the titles to lands obtained by grant or division 
sliould be valid. These lands were parceled out at public 
meetings. Tliese meetings are called, in the records, some- 
times town meetings, at other times proprietors' meetings, 
(as will be observed from the record-extracts which have 
been made from time to time.) All the inhabitants of the 
place took part in them. So long as all who were of a proper 
age to act were proprietors, as they were for a considerable 
time after the settlement was begun, the evil might not be se- 
rious of a town meeting, so called, undertaking to transact 
proprietors' business. But, after a time, the case was differ- 
ent. Individuals began to make their appearance who owned 
no right in the undivided lands. At first, these were the 
grown up sons of proprietors. They all met in town meetings 
and voted, not^only on the questions wdiich concerned the 



128 HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 

the town alone, but on those which related to the proprietors 
alone. Such questions were determined by a major vote. 
No regard was had to the inequality of rights. He who 
owned £50 propriety had one vote, he who owned £100 had 
but one, and he who owned nothing had one. After the with- 
drawal of the committee, there was no power at hand to ratify 
proceedings and correct mistakes. How long these irregulari- 
ties were continued, I am not quite sure ; but there appears 
to have been no separate record of town meetings kept till 
December, 1698. And for many years afterwards, down cer- 
tainly to 1713, these meetings occasionally granted lands, &c. 
At length, the error became manifest, and evil results were 
apprehended. Men perceived that they held their lands by 
an insecure tenure. The validity of claims based on town 
grants and town action was denied. The best interests of so- 
ciety — those interests connected with the security of landed 
property — were put in jeopardy. The people of Waterbury 
were not alone in their embarrassment. Other towns had un- 
consciously fallen into the same error. In some instances, 
proprietors attempted to correct the mistake by ratifying wdiat 
the towns had done. It would not do, however, and the Gen- 
eral Assembly was at length called on to interpose. At the 
May session, 1723, an act was passed validating " all grants, 
divisions, or dispositions of common lands made according to 
ancient custom in town meetings," whether made before, or 
after, the towns were incorporated. It was, at the same time, 
enacted, "that no person whatsoever by becoming an inhabit- 
ant of a town, or by any other means against or without the 
consent of such proprietors, shall be taken or esteemed to have 
any estate, title, right, or interest " in the common or undi- 
vided lands of any towns. It was also enacted, that the pro- 
prietors, in their meetings, should " have full power, by their 
major votes, to be reconed according to their interest in the 
common land, to regulate, improve, manage, and divide such 
common land, in such manner and proportion as they shall see 
good." 



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HISTORY OF WATERURY. 



CHAPTER XL 



129 



PERSONAL NOTICES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS OF WATERBURY. 

Of the thirty -four proprietors of Waterbury, who became 
settlers before 1688, all, except four, were from Farmington. 
Abraham Andruss, Sen., was from Fairfield, Joseph Gaylord 
was originally from Windsor, John Hopkins from Hartford 

and Benjamin Jones from . Tliey were all farmers. 

Some of them had trades— such as are in most demand in new 
settlements— to which they devoted a part of their time, par- 
ticularly when the weather was unfavorable for farm work. 
There were among them a few men of substance ; but gener- 
ally they were in moderate circumstances. None was rich, 
none very poor. All labored with their hands. As to family 
and station, they were from the great " middle class "—that 
which lies at the foundation of society and which perpetuates 
the race.* Several were honorably, or rather respectably, 
connected, but there were no patrician families. Not one of 
them bore a name which was particularly distinguished in the 
early history of the colonies, with the exception of Hopkins, 
the town miller; and he is not known to have been a relation 
of Gov. Hopkins. I have not succeeded very well in tracing 
their origin. Farther investigations will discover more facts, 
undoubtedly; but I have rarely been able to track them, in the 
ascending line, beyond Hartford, or the old towns of Connec- 
ticut. We may rest assured, however, that they had an anti- 



* Mr. Hollister, in his History of Connecticut, (Vol. I, Cliapter XX^) has talsen some pains 
to show that the early planters of the Colony were of good descent and belonged to the better 
classes of the English people. In a certain sense I admit this. But it should be remembered that 
no other classes leave a permanent posterity. The vile, the dissolute, the infirm, the thrift- 
less, those of mean endowments, mental and bodily, die out by a natural law, leaving few im- 
mediate and no remote descendants. They perish from want, violence and internal rottenness. 
Their numbers are kept good only by accessions from without. Coming in contact with a 
stronger and better race, they are overrun and disappear. And it is well for humanity that 
it is so. Thus, by an invincible law of nature, "the better classes,"— not the " landed gentry " ne. 
cessarily— but those of sound mental, moral and bodi'y constitution— become the true and only 
progenitors of a people. Thus, virtue conquers vice, and strength overcomes weakness. 



130 HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 

qiiity, and a very hoaiy one too. I have not consulted books 
of heraldry, partly, if you please, because I expected to make 
no discoveries in that quarter. I do not suppose the ancestors 
of the Judds, the Hickoxes, the Bronsons and the Weltons 
ever "bore arms;" and if the fact were otherwise, it would not 
make an unworthy descendant respectable. It would not save 
him from the pillory, or the halter. Those who are ambitious 
for coats of arms, may find them in New York, on sale, cheaper 
than broadcloth.* 

At an early period, there was a law of the colony requiring 
marriages, births and deaths to be recorded by the town clerk, 
with penalties for neglect or delay. This law, however, seems 
to have been very imperfectly observed in Waterbury. Dur- 
ing John Stanley's clerkship, no record of these things was 
kept, or at least, none has been preserved. The only item of 
the kind entered by him, is the birth of his son Timothy, in 
1689. Thomas Jndd, Jr., was made register in 1696, and in 
1699, he appears to have commenced a record of marriages, 
births and deaths, and made it retrospective to some extent. 
If the male head of a family was then living in Waterbury, he, 
in some cases, gave an account of his children born in the 
town, with the date, and in a few instances of those born be- 
fore he joined the settlement. Thus, in the case of Abraham 
Andruss, Sen's children, the record begins with the birth 
(place not mentioned) of the first child, in 1672; while in the 
instance of Isaac Bronson's children, it commences with the 
fourth child, being the first born in Waterbury, in 1680. It is 
impossible to discover from written evidence, the date of the 
first birth from European parents that occurred in the town ; 
but the first registered birth was that of Rebecca, daughter of 
Thomas and Mary Richason, April 27, 1679. She m. John 
Warner, son of John, afterwards a deacon of the Westbury 
church. Richard, son of John and Mary Welton, registered by 



* Since the abore was written, I hare looked into Burke's Encyclopedia of Heraldry, (Lond., 
1844.) I find there the following names, (to wit :) Andrews, Barnes, Branson, or Braunson, 
Carrington, Clark, Hancock, Hiccox, Hopkins, Jones, Judd, Lewis, Newell, Peck, Porter, Rich- 
ards, Richardson, Scott, Southraead, Stanley, Upton, Walton, Warner. 

Any one who is interested in this information and is out at the elbows can pursue the inquiry. 
It may be he will find something that will fit him — a " coat " on which are blazoned his for- 
gotten, and with which he may cover his dishonored, " arms." 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 131 

Mr. Soiitlimayd, was born " sometime in March, 1680." If tliis 
date is intended for 1680, new style, as it probably is, Kicliard 
Welton may be regarded, till evidence to the contrary is 
shown, as the first male child born in the l^augatuck Valley, 
above Derby. Family tradition concurs with the indications 
of the record. 

Marriages in olden times were celebrated by the governor, 
deputy governor, assistants, or commissioners. Clergymen 
rarely performed the ceremony before ITOO. Baptisms took 
place a few days after birth ; sometimes, when a magistrate or 
minister lived in the village, " immediately after," as the old 
record saith. 

Until 1666, wills were probated and estates settled in the 
Court of Magistrates. At this date, the several counties, four 
in number, were established, and this business was given to the 
County courts. It was continued in these courts till the coun- 
ties were divided into probate districts. Waterbury at first 
belonged to Hartford County, and its probate business was 
done in the County Court of Hartford till 1719. At this 
period the town was anxexed to the district of Woodbury. It 
thus continued till 1779, when the Waterbury District was es- 
tablished. On the probate record of Hartford, Woodbury 
and Waterbury, I have been obliged to rely ibr many facts 
relating to the early settlers of Waterbury. 

ABRAHAM ANDRUSS, Sen. 

The name is usually spelled Andrews, though rarely or never 
on our record. He was the son of Thomas Andrews, who re- 
moved from Hartford to Bankside, in Fairfield, and who had 
four sons — John, Abraham, Jeremiah and Thomas — and six 
daughters. His will bore the date of 1662. 

Abraham Andruss, Sen., was one of the thirty who signed 
the articles of 1674. He had an £80 propriety, and was among 
the earliest settlers of Mattatuck. His name is on all the lists 
of those who had early divisions of fence. He and Timothy 
Stanley were the first townsmen, or selectmen of the town, 
they being spoken of as holding this oflice in 1681. He sub- 
sequently occupied the same position in 1690, 1692,1706, 1707, 
1711, 1716. He was town surveyor in 1700 and afterwards; 



132 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

a deputy to the General Court at tlie May session, in 1712; 
one of the signers of the agreement to pay Mr. Peck £60 per 
year, in 16S9, and a frequent member of important committees 
appointed by tlie town and proprietors. On the whole, he was 
a man of considerable note among the first settlers of Water- 
bury. 

Andruss had a *' house lot" Nov., 1687, at the west end of 
the village, near w^here the late Dr. Buckley lived. It was 
bounded east on John Welton, west on " a great lot," (the cor- 
ner lot.) Nothing is said of a house. The lot "vv'as conveyed, 
April 18th, 1696, to David Scott, and afterwards to Robert 
Scott, Thomas Judd, Jr. and John Southmayd. There is no 
house mentioned in any of the conveyances. 

January 22"* 1680 [?] the town granted to abraham andrus senor a peic of land 
buting on y* mill Riuer and on y« common fenc aganst s^ andruses three acre lot 
prouided it do not pregedis high waycs and he build a hous or set up a tan yard.* 

This lot was recorded in 1687, as four acres, and is described 
as butting north on the common, easterly on the river, south- 
erly on the common, westerly on the top of the hill. " March 
10, 1704," it was again recorded, and is mentioned as contain- 
ing 3^ acres, with a dwelling house, " butting south on the com- 
mon fence, north and west on the highway, east at the southeast 
corner coming to the river, and at the northeast corner falling 
four rods and a half from the mill river, so cattle may pass 
safely over the river." It was situated below the mill, imme- 
diately below the present bridge, on the west side of the river, 
bounding on the river at the lower corner, and falling four and 
a half rods from it, next the road which came from the village. 
From the fact tliat a tan-yard is mentioned in the original grant, 
it is probable that Andruss was a tanner. 

In 1717-8, when it became necessary to provide for declin- 
ing years, Andruss conveyed to his youngest son, Thomas, 
lands, &c., as follows — (the deed is signed by a mark, and bears 
the date of January 4th, 1717) : 

* But few of the land titles of the first proprietors of Waterbury, acquired in the first years of 
the settlement, can be traced to specific grants from the Colony's committee, or the proprietors, 
or to land divisions, or to any other valid source. This is particularly the fact with the house 
lots. Those of the present generation who hold the lands referred to must rely for the good- 
ness of their titles on the validating acts of the Assembly. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 133 

For and in concediration of my son thomas andrus who now lives with me 
tacking the care of my self and my wife while we live unles my wife should be 
left by me and mary again and finding of us with a sutable and comfortable main- 
tenance and tacking the whole care of us both while we live both in sixnes and in 
helth and for the loue and good will which I do bare towards my son thomas * * 
* I giue him the whole of my teame and all the tackling there unto belonging 
both of Iron and wood and all tools that I have that is nesary to carry on hus- 
bandry work * * * * I give unto my son thomas all the lands I stand 
posest of within the bounds of Waterbury with the bulding fencing orcharding 
thare to belonging and the whole of my propriety in the undeuided land he to 
tacke posesion of the one half now and the other half at my deceas [&c.] 

When the new meeting honse was seated, in 1729, " Good- 
man Andruss and his wife" were placed in the seat next the 
pulpit, on the west side, opposite the minister, this high posi- 
tion being due to their age and worth. But the poor man 
died soon after, or before December of the same year, he being 
the last (who settled in Waterbury) of the original thirty sub- 
scribers. His inventory, taken in Dec, 1731, amounted to 
£36, 15s. 

Abraham Andruss married Rebecca, a daughter of John 
Carrington, also an original proprietor. Their children were : — 

1. Rebecca; born Dec. 10, 1672 ; married about 1696, William Hickox. 

2. Mary; b. March 10, 1674-5; m. April, 1693, Daniel Warner, son of Daniel 
Warner of Farmington. 

3. Hannah ; b. Sep. 8, 1678 ; m. "Zopher Northrup." 

4. Abraham ; b. Oct. 14, 1680. He was admitted as a bachelor proprietor 
March 18, 1701; m. Nov. 5, 1702, Hannah, daughter of Thomas Stephens of Mid- 
dletown, by whom he had a son born in Waterbury, Sep. 6, 1703. He had a house 
and half an acre and twelve rods of ground in Feb. 1702-3, butted on all sides on 
highway, and situated, apparently, west and in front of the old mill, between 
" Union Square" and the Scovill Manuf'g Go's rolling mill. He remained, how- 
ever, only long enough to secure his propriety right. March 12, 1705-6, he sold 
his place to his father, and received in payment certain lands in Farmington, to 
which town he had already removed. He had five children born there between 
1705 and 1712. Afterwards he turned up in Saybrook, where he was denominated 
" doctor." He was there in 1733. 

5. Sarah ; b. March 16, 1683-4 ; m. Joseph Lewis, and d. March 6, 1773. 

6. Rachel ; b. July 11, 1686 ; m. Samuel Orvice. 

7. John; b. July 16, 1688. He m. Martha Warner and removed early to Far- 
mington, where he had several children. He was there in 1710, 1715, 1723, and 
had returned to Waterbury in 1724, where his seventh and eighth children were 
born — the last in 1728. He lived in the southeast quarter, in 1730, near Judd's 
Meadow. In 1748-9 he was an inhabitant of Woodbury. 

8. Thomas; b. " March 6, 1694." He became a bachelor proprietor in 1715, 
and married Mary, d. of John Turner of Hartford, Nov. 2, 1725, by whom he had 



13J: HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

three daughters born in AVaterbury, the hist in 1*734. In 1781, he exchanged with 
Stephen Kelsey his house and hinds for a house and sixty-nine acres on the Wood- 
bury road, near the Woodbury line. These last he sold, in 1735, to Thomas 
Mathews, Jr. of Wallingford, to which place he removed soon after. 

ABRAHAM ANDRUSS, Jr., or Cooper. 

He was called junior because he was younger than his name- 
sake, the term in those days having no reference to family 
relationship. The term cooper designated his occupation. He 
was a son of John (and Mary) Andrews. The father was an 
early settler of Farmington, and one of the first (and non 
" fulfilling ") signers of the articles for the settlement of Wa- 
tei'bury. He had seven sons, John, Abraham, Samuel, Dan- 
iel, Joseph, (who signed the articles, but never came to AV ater- 
bury,) Stephen, Benjamin, and three daughters, Mary, (the 
mother of Benjamin Barnes,) Hannah, (who married Obadiah 
Eichards,) and Rachel. He died in 1681, (his wife in May, 
1694,) leaving legacies to several of his grandchildren, includ- 
ing John and Abraham Andross and John Bichards. 

Abraham Andruss, Jr., or coojier Andruss, (born Oct. 31, 
1648, baptized, April 2d, 1654,) had a £100 propriety and 
subscribed the articles "in the room of John Judd." His 
name is first mentioned in the allotment of the fourth division 
of fence. He was one of those who were declared, Feb. 6th, 
1682, to have forfeited their rights. On promise of " submis- 
sion and reformation," however, he was again i)ut in possession 
of his allotments. His name is on the list of j)roprietors in 
1688, and on all subsequent lists. Nothing in jiarticular is 
known of his standing. His house and a house lot of two 
acres were on the north corner of "West Main and Bank streets, 
butting west on Daniel Porter and south on common land. 
He married Sarah, a daughter of Robert Porter. They both 
joined the church in Parmington, Jan. 3d, 1686. He died 
May 3d, 1693, leaving his widow j)regnant. His inventory 
amounted to£l77, 17s. 3d.; and the estate was distributed, March 
20th, 1694-5, according to law — one third of the movables 
and the use of the real estate during life, to the widow, a 
double portion of the remainder to the oldest son, Abraham, 
and equal shares to the other children. The family all remov- 
ed to Danbury, the widow having married James Benedict of 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 135 

that place. In March, 1707, she relinquished her right to the 
real estate in "VVaterbury, and the homestead was taken by the 
eldest son, Abraham. 

Andruss children, all mentioned in the settlement of the 
estate in 1707-8, were, as far as known: 

1. Sarah; baptized in Farmington March 9th, 1683-4, and m. Thomas Raymond 
of Norwalk, where they were both living in 1'723. 

2. Abraham ; baptized July 17, 1687, (?) in Farmington. 

3. Mary; baptized in Farmington in 1689; m. James Benedict of Danbury. 

4. Benjamin. 

5. Robert.* 

Andruss propriety was owned by "William Judd, in 1721, 
and, in June of the same year, was sold to Samuel Whittlesey 
of Wallingford, for £42. 

BENJAMIN BARNES. 

His father, Tliomas Barnes, was an original proprietor and 
settler of Hartford and a soldier in the Pequot war of 1637. 
For his services in that war, he received, in 1671, from the 
colonial Assembly, a grant of land of fifty acres. When the 
settlement of Farmington was commenced, he became a pro- 
prietor and settled in that place. He was appointed a ser- 
geant of the train-band in 1651, and became a member of the 
church in 1653. His wife was Mary, daughter of Thomas 
Andrews. He died in 1688. His children were : — 

1. Benjamin ; b. 1653. 2. Joseph ; baptized 1655 ; m. 
July 8, 1684, Abigail Gibbs, and d. Jan. 23, 1740-1. 3. Sarah ; 
m. John Scovill. 4. Thomas ; m. June, 1690, Mary Jones, 
and became a deacon. 5. Ebenezer; m. April 8, 1690, Debo- 
rah Orvis or Orvice, and died 1756. 

Benjamin Barnes was accepted as a proprietor of Water- 
bury, Jan. 15, 1677, (1677-8,) taking the place of Ei chard 
Seymour. He was an early settler, but probably was not of 
the first company. He had no allotment of fence in the first 



* Mary Benedict and Abraham, Robert &nAJohn Andruss, "heirs of Abraham Andruss, coop- 
er," were all living in Danbury in 1T54. (Wat. L. R., Vol. VIII, p. 514.) Whether this John 
Andruss was a son of cooper Andruss, or a grandson and represented Benjamin's interest, I 
am unable to say. 



136 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

division; but his name is found in the other divisions. He 
signed the agreement with Mr. Peck, in 1689 ; was moderator 
of proprietors' meetings, in 1694-5 ; " grave digger " in 1699; 
townsman, school committee, lister, hajward, collector and 
grand juror, at different times ; deputy to the General Court, 
in 1703. His house and home lot of two acres were on the 
corner of West and North Main streets, the lot being bounded, 
in 1687, easterly and south on highway, north on common and 
westerly on Samuel Hickox. The homestead and some out- 
lands he conveyed, in 1714, to his son Thomas, in considera- 
tion of the said Thomas taking care of him while he lived and 
paying his just debts, " and taking the care of his father's wife, 
if he should liaue one, with a comfortable mantainance, and 
the whole term of her being his widow." Afterwards, in 1728, 
the homestead, now two and a half acres, was conveyed to 
Josejjh Smith, father and son uniting in the deed. When the 
new meeting house came to be seated, " Goodman Barnes," 
(still a widower, apparently,) along with other aged worthies, 
was voted into the first pew at the west end of the pulpit. 

Benjamin Barnes was married to Sarah . He joined 

the Farmington church March 22d, 1690-1. He died April 
24, 1731, being the last of the original proprietors who be- 
came settlers as early as he. His wife died in the great sick- 
ness, Dec. 21st, 1712. Their children were : — 

1. Benjamin ; b. Sep. 1684 and d. in May, 1709. He was a bachelor proprietor, 
and his estate, being thirty eight acres and a £-10 propriety, was distributed to his 
brothers and sisters. 

2. John; b. Aug. 12, 1686, and was baptized in Farmington, (together with his 
brother, Benjamin,) Dec. 1, 1689. He became a bachelor proprietor at the age 
of 21 ; m. March 28, 1728, Mary, widow of Samuel Porter and d. of John Bron- 
son, and died March 21, 1763. His widow died Jan. 27, 1774. He had five child- 
ren, the four youngest of whom died in the great sickness of 1749. His occupa- 
tion was that of a " husbandman." He lived at Judd's Meadow, west of the river. 

3. A son ; b. May 10, 1689 ; d. the same month. 

4. Thomas; b. May 11, 1690; baptized in Farmington, June 8, 1690. He had 
a bachelor lot, and was at different times selectman, school committee, constable, 
&c. He was a shoemaker and is called, also, "cordwinder." In Feb. 1718-19, 
his father gave to him, in the language of the deed, " fifty acres of land belong- 
ing to me which was given to my father by the generall court for pequot war 
serus." After the sale of his father's homestead, he lived, for a time, on the south- 
west corner of Cook and Grove streets. This place he sold, in 1.735, to Jonathan 
Garnsey, and in 1752, lived on the west side of Willow street, a little north of 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUET. 137 

Grove, in a house which is still standing. He was a sergeant in the train-band, and 
ui. "Jan. 4, 1721," Susanna, the d. of Edward Scovill of Haddam. They had 
six children. He died Nov. 29, 1772. His will, dated Dec. 1768, mentions his 
wife, Susanna, a married daughter, Susanna Terrel, and one son, Daniel. 

5. Ebenezer; b. "March 15, 1693," and d. "March 10, 1713." 

6. Sarah ; b. Aug. 15, 1695, and m. Thomas Day, Jr. They lived in Colches- 
ter in 1723, and then sold all their rights of land in Waterbury to Thomas 
Barnes. 

7. Samuel ; b. " March 16, 1697 ;" m. June 4, 1722, Mary, d. of John Johnson 
of Derby, and had nine children. 

BRONSON. 

Tlie name is usually si^elled Browuson on the Hartford and 
Brunson on the Farmington records. John Bronson, the father 
of the Waterbury Bronsons, was early in Hartford. He is be- 
lieved, though not certainly known, to have been one of the 
company wdio came with Mr. Hooker, in 1636, of whose 
church he was a member. He was a soldier in the bloody 
Pequot battle of 1637. He is not named among the proprie- 
tors of Hartford in the land division of 1639 ; but is mention- 
ed in the same year in the list of settlers, who, by the "towne's 
courtesie " had liberty "to fetch woode and keepe swine or 
cowes on the common." His house lot was in the "soldiers 
iield," so called, in the north part of the old village of Hartford, 
on the "Neck Eoad," (supposed to have been given for service 
in the Pequot war,) where he lived in 1640. Hinraan, in his 
" First Puritan Settlers," thinks that his father, then an aged 
man, owning no land, Eichard by name, was with him. Nov. 
9th, 1640, he (John Bronson) and Andrew Warner wei-e fined 
five shillings " for putting their hogs over the Great River, 
and five shillings for every day they left them there." 

After the purchase of Tunxis (Farmington) by the Hart- 
ford people, John Bronson, about 1641, removed to that place. 
His house lot was on a road running out of the Anllage in an 
easterly direction and half a mile distant. (Eichard Bronson, 
supposed to have been his brother, also an original proprietor 
and from Hartford, lived near by.) He was one of the seven 
pillars at the organization of the Farmington church, in 1652. 
He was a deputy to the General Court, in May, 1651, and at 
several subsequent sessions, and " the constable of Farming- 



138 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

ton," who collected the rate for "yepo^.t at Seahrook," in 
1652. May 10th, 1670, " Cherry and will the indian with 
three of the milford Indians were adjudged to pay to him for 
sider they stole from him twenty shillings." His name is on, 
the list of freemen of Farmington in 1669. He died Nov. 28, 
1680.— Estate £312. His children were :— 

1. Jacob ; b. Jan. 1641, m. Mary ; left posterity, and d. 

1708. He lived in Farmington, in the society of Kensington. 
2. John; b. Jan. 16U. 3. Isaac; b. Nov. 1645, baptized 
Dec. 7i IGj^.Jn Hartford, by Mr. Hooker. 4. Mary ; m. an 
lEffi#e¥--iOIis". 5. Abraham ; baptized Nov. 28, 1647. He 
signed the Mattatuck articles, but declined the responsibilities 
of a planter. He removed to Lyme, and m. Hannah, d. of 
Mathew Griswold, and d. at an advanced age, (Hinman says 
in 1647, which is probably a mistake,) leaving descendants. 
6. Dorcas ; m. Stephen Hopkins of Hartford, father of John of 
Waterbury, and d. May 13, 1697. 7. Sarah; m. Ebenezer 
Kilbourn of Wethersfield. 

JOHN BRONSON. 

He was one of the thirty original subscribers, in 1674. The 
name is written " John Bronson, Jr." The " Jr." on the 
Farmington records was usually applied to the son of Rich- 
ard; which fact has led to the conclusion that the settler in 
Mattatuck was the son of Kichard, and not of John. I believe, 
however, but am not entirely confident, that John of Water- 
bury was the son of John of Farmington. I find this language 
used on the Farmington records, under date of March 28, 
1695 — " Land in Farmington belonging to John Brownson : 
son of John Brownson, at Watterbury." John, the son of 
the Waterbury John, lived in Farmington. But John, the son 
of Richard, appears also have had a son John. 

John Bronson was an early settler of Mattatuck. He is not, 
however, named in the second division of fence, which fact in- 
dicates that he vacillated for a time. He lived on the north 
side of West Main street, where William R. Hitchcock now 
resides, having a lot of two acres; bounded north and south on 
highway, east on Lieut. Judd, west on Thomas Richason. He 
m. Sarah Yentris and d. 1796. 



HISTORY OF WATEUBUEY. 130 

12. The inventory of liis estate, amounting to £141, 6s. 6d., with 
£22, 3s. debts, was taken Nov. 7, 1696. Tlie estate was dis- 
tributed by Isaac Bronson and Dea. Thomas Judd, according 
to an order of the Court. The widow was to have a double 
part and the children to share equally, leaving out the eldest 
son John: — 

It appearing to this court y» y^ eldest soon has already receiued his full part by 
deed of gift from his father in his life time and by his own acknowledgment in 
court — it is to be understood y» y* widow is to have one third part of y» rale 
estate during her naturall life and a double part of y« personal estate. 

Children : 

1. John; b. leYO ; d. June 15, 1716. He removed to Farmington (the part 
which is now Southington) and had several children. 

2. Sarah ; b. 1672. 

3. Dorothy ; b. 1675 ; m. Stephen Kelsey of Wethersfield. They were both 
living in 1723, and deeded their right in their father Bronson's estate to their 
son Stephen Kelsey of Wethersfield, (afterwards of Waterbury.) 

4. Ebenezer; b. 1677 ; m. Mary Munn, Aug. 13, 1702, and d. May 23, 1727, 
leaving daughters, EHzabeth Knowles, Bethiah, wife of Lemuel Wheeler, and 
others. He lived and died in Woodbury. (See Cothren's Woodbury.) 

5. William ; b. 1682 ; m. in 1707, Esther Barnes ; and d. in 1761, having had 
several sons and daughters. He removed to Farmington at an early date. To 
him his father's homestead was distributed "as his whole portion," valued at 
£14, 16s 4d. 

6. Moses; b. 1686; m. Jane Wait of Stratford, and d. Aug. 12, 1754. His 
widow and .all his children, thirteen in number, are named on the Probate record 
as living at his decease. He was admitted as a bachelor proprietor Jan. 7, 1706- 
7, and again in Nov. 1722, having the "fifth propriety lot," so called, which was 
formerly his own. It seems that he left Waterbury and was absent several years. 
His friends having no intelligence from him supposed him dead, and the Court, in 
1712, ordered his brother William to take all needful care of his estate. (Hinman's 
Puritans.) He was discovered, however, the next year, in Stratford, where he re- 
mained some time afterwards, having several children born there. I find no men- 
tion made of him, as an inhabitant of Waterbury, from Feb. 1709-10, till after Nov. 
28, 1722, when his bachelor lot was granted him a second time. Thomas Sherwood 
of Stratford assisted him in obtaining this grant, for which assistance, and for his 
journey, Bronson conveyed to him, by a quit claim deed, " one half of the one 
hundred and twenty three acres" of land-divisions then to be taken up, on the 
said bachelor's right. Bronson returned to Waterbury about 1723. He lived up 
the river on the west side. 

7. Grace; b. 1689. 



140 HISTORY OF WATEKBDKY. 



ISAAC BRONSON. 



lie was one of the original tliirty subscribers, and is be- 
lieved to have been one of the first company who came to 
AVaterbury, having a meadow allotment in the beginning and 
being named in all the divisions of common fence. He ap- 
pears to have complied promptly with all the conditions of the 
articles of settlement. lie lived on Kortli Main street, a lit- 
tle north of the house of Augustus Brown, having a lot of four 
acres, bounded, in 1687, westerly on highway, southerly on 
John Stanley, northerly on John IS^ewell and easterly on com- 
mon land. March 31, 1691, he purchased John NewelFs 
house and lot of five acres next adjoining him on the north. 

Isaac Bronson was one of the patentees named in the first 
town patent. He joined the Farmington church, May loth, 
1684, and was active in establishing a church in Waterbury. 
He was a petitioner with Mr. Peck to the General Court for 
liberty " to gather " a church, and was one of its seven pillars 
at its final organization, in 1691. When the train-band was 
re-organized, after the town was incorporated, in 1689, he was 
appointed corporal. About 1695, he became sergeant, and 
ever afterwards was known as Sergeant Bronson. He was 
deputy in May, 1697, and Oct. 1701, and townsman, school 
committee, town surveyor, &c., at different times. He seems 
to liave been one of the most respected of the early settlers. 
"When it became necessary to provide for his declining years, 
he deeded half his homestead, &c., to his youngest son Ebe- 
nezer, on condition as follows : — The instrument is dated June 
23d, 1714, and is signed by a mark, in consequence, doubtless, 
of feeble health. The grantor wrote, in his better days, a fair 
hand, for the times. Specimens of his writing may be seen in 
the old proprietors' book, (pamphlet form,) he having some- 
times acted as temporary clerk. 

Know ye that i Isack brounson senr [&c.] in consideration of ray son ebenezer 
brounson hoo now Hues with me finding of me and my wife mary brounson with a 
sutable and comfortable mantenance and takingthe whole care of us both while we 
line both in siknes and in helth I say for and in consideration here of I do giue and 
grant to my well be loueed ebinezer brounson [&c.] the one half of my hom lot upon 
which my dwelling hous now stands which land is esteemed two acres and a half be 



HISTORY OF WATERBDRY. 141 

it more or less as it lies buted and bounded south on samuell standly east on John 
brounsou west on highway north on the remainder of my honisted. Then my 
whole right in the lot he bought of John Warner — Item, half my team two 
young heflers and a young mare and One half of all my tackling and Imploments 
belonging to a team To haue and to hold [&c.] 

Several years afterwards, or Dec. 2, 1718, Ebenezer relin- 
quished his interest in his father's homestead, and his brother 
and brother-in-law, Thomas Bronson and Thomas Ilickox, in 
consideration of five acres of land on the Farmington road, 
being the Tailor lot, so called, valued at £8, received of Ebe- 
nezer, assumed the care of their father and mother. On the 
same day, the father deeded to Ebenezer, " that he may be 
sutably rewarded and incouraged for what he has done for 
us," one acre of his home lot. 

Isaac Bronson m. about 1GG9, Mary, daughter of John 
Root of Farmington, a non-fulfilling subscriber of the articles. 
He d. about 1719, and his widow soon after. An inventory 
of liis estate was presented to court, Feb. 20, 1719-20, by 
" Mr. Isaac Bronson," his son, with an agreement among the 
heirs as to its settlement, they giving bonds for the support of 
the widow. The oldest son was to have £7 more than the 
other s(ms, and the latter £7 more than the daughters, eight 
in all. The amount distributed was £386. Thomas Clark and 
John Richards were appraisers of the estate. 

Children : 

1. Isaac; b. 16*70, and died June 13, 1751. As early as March, 1694-5, he 
(with others) had a grant of land out East, on the south side of the Farmington 
road, near Carrington Pond, (south of Timothy Porter's,) where he proposed to 
settle ; but the enterprise was given up. After his marriage, he purchased (April 
24, 1704) of Ephraim Warner a house and lot on the northwest corner of Cook and 
Grove streets, where he perhaps lived for a time. He owned land at Breakneck 
Hill at an early date. In June, 1701, he purchased of Thomas Warner twelve 
acres on the south side of the Woodbury road. He went there to live before 
March, 1707, (N. S.,) and is considered as the first permanent settler of what is 
now Middlebury. According to a tradition of the family, his eldest son, Isaac, 
was the first child born (March 27, 1707) within the limits of that town. His house 
stood where Leonard Bronson now lives. He was a bachelor proprietor ; a deputy 
to the General Court in 17'23 and 1733, and one of the most respectable and in- 
fluential men of the town for many years. 

2. John ; b. 1673, and died about the close of the year 1746. His inventory 
amounted to £1,184, 4s. 8d. He is supposed to have lived first at Breakneck. His 
father owned a house there as early as April 6, 1702, and it is probable that John 



142 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

occupied it. The latter had a house of his own at Breakneck and twenty-two 
acres of land, Feb. 27th, 1705-6, which he bought, by exchange, of Joseph Gay- 
lord, Sen. Afterwards, v.'ith his father's help, he built a house on the east end of 
his fiither's lot, on Cherry, near the junction of Walnut street. His father gave 
him the land, (on which the house had already been built, Jan. 29, 1707-8,) two 
acres, butting east on highway, (which at this point was six rods wide,) west on 
his father's land, north on Benjamin Barnes' and south on Thomas Hickox's land. 
In April, 1743, he bought the old Hopkins' place ; but whether he lived on it, I 
am unable to say. He became a lieutenant of the militia and was, two or three 
times, selectman. He was licensed as a tavern-keeper by the New Haven County 
Court in 1730 and afterwards. It appears to have been his son John, who was also 
a lieutenant, who removed to Northbury about 1737, and afterwards to Amenia, 
N. Y. 

3. Samuel ; born about 167G. He was a cooper, and lived in Kensington. 

4. Mary; b. Oct. 15, 1680; m. Dea. Thomas Hickox and died in 1756. She 
seems to have been a woman of great efficiency, and while a widow, managed her 
own business and property, dealing much in real estate. 

5. Joseph ; b. 1682, and d. May 10, 1707. His estate was distributedamong his 
brothers and sisters in 1721, amounting to £24 — a £40 propriety being estimated 
at £5 and sixty-eight acres of land, (being dividends on it,) at £19. 

6. Thomas ; b. Jan. 16, 1686, and d. May 6, 1777. He was the fifth deacon 
(appointed 1750) of the Waterbury first church, his son Thomas being the sixth. 
He had a house and four acres of land on the corner of Cook and Grove streetSi 
which he sold to Joseph Smith of Derby, Dec. 30th, 1726, for £145 ; butted west 
on heirs of George Scott and Thomas Barnes, all other sides on highway. 
The land he bought in 1717 of his brother John for £8. After the death of his 
father, he bought of his brother Ebenezer, (in 1726,) the family homestead, which 
he afterwards occupied. He was a lieutenant, and is so called on his gravestone. 

7. Ebenezer ; b. Dec. 1688. He was baptized in Farmington, as were his older 
brothers and his sister Mary. He was a bachelor proprietor, and so were his 
brothers Isaac, John, Joseph and Thomas. He improved the old homestead for 
several years after the death of his father. In April, 1735, he bought of "William 
Judd the place on the southwest corner of West Main and Willow streets, where he 
lived in 1744, and I suppose till his death, and where his son Andrew lived after him. 
In his will, he speaks of having already given his oldest son Andrew, " by way of 
acknowledgement of him as my eldest son, a yoak of steers, with £20 old tenor 
money, and some other small matters." He bequeathed to the first church in 
Waterbury, " forty shillings, lawful money, to lye in bank for the use and benefit 
of the church, the interest to be improved," so long as the church continue "in 
the present form and method," &c. He d. July 20, 1775. The amount of his in- 
ventory was £868, lis. 4d. He is called in deeds, " yeoman." 

8. Sarah ; b. Nov. 15, 1691, and d. 1748. 

9. Mercy ; b. Sept. 28, 1694, and m. Richard Bronson of Woodbury. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY, 143 



JOHN CARRINGTON. 



He was an early settler of Farmington and one of the 
" eiglity-foiir proprietors " of 1672. He signed the articles for 
the settlement of Mattatuck, in 1674, and appears to have 
joined the new plantation early ; for he is named in all the 
divisions of fence. He, however, neglected full compliance 
with the conditions of the articles, and was declared to have 
forfeited his rights, Feb. 6, 1682, (1682-3.) Bnt little is known 
of him. He died in the early part of 1690, leaving a widow 
who deceased before the inventory was rendered, (June 30, 
1690.) His son John was administrator and the estate amount- 
ed to £120, lis. John had £23, each of the other children 
£12. Benjamin Barnes and Thomas Judd, the smith, were 
appointed guardians of the three youngest children, with in- 
structions to put them out, and not to be overruled by John, 
the administrator. 

John Carrington's house lot of two acres was on West Main 
Btreet, the south side, about where Leavenworth street now 
runs. It was bounded north and south on highway, east on 
Timothy Stanley, west on George Scott. It was sold, in 1710, 
by the heirs, to Timothy Stanley and George Scott, for £12. 

Children : 

1. John; b. 166Y, and d. 1692, in "Waterbury. Benjamin Barnes and Thomas 
Judd, Jr. were administrators. The estate, amounting to £59, 1'Zs. 2d, was distribu- 
ted, his debts being first paid, to his brothers and sisters. He was a cooper. 

2. Mary; b. 1G72; m. Joshua Holcomb(?) of Simsbury. She was the wife of 
William Parsons of Farmington in 1'721 and 1734-55. 

3. Hannah ; b. 1675 ; m. William Parsons of Farmington, according to Mr. W. 
S. Porter. Should not the name be Joshua Holcomb of Simsbury ? 

■i. Clark; b. 1678 ; m. Sarah Higason, and lived in Farmington. He was there 
in 1721-2. 

5. EUzabeth ; b. 1682 : m. John Hoskins of Windsor. 

6. Ebenezer ; b. 1687 ; removed to Hartford, and died in Waterbury, adminis- 
tration being taken out, (in 1711,) by his brother-in-law, William Parsons of Hart- 
ford. He left no family. 

THOMAS CLARK. 

His grandfather, William Clark, came from England and 
settled in Dorchester, Mass., about 1637. Thence he removed 
to ISTorthainpton, in 1659, and d. in 1690. His son William, 



Ii4 HISTORY OF TVATERBURT. 

the father of Tlioraas of "Waterbiirv, after tlie birth of his 
chiklren, removed to Lebanon, Conn. 

Thomas Clark was born (in Northampton) April 1-i, 1690. 
His mot her Sarah (Strong) ^vas the sister of Timothy Stan- 
Uf^ ley's wife. When a mere child, as tradition runs, his uncle 
Stanley visited his father's house in Lebanon and inqnired, at 
first in a sportive way, wliich of his young nephews would go 
and live with him and be his boy, as he had none of his own. 
Tliomas spoke uj) promptly and said that he would go. But 
as he was so young, it was finally arranged that his elder broth- 
er, Timothy, should accompany his uncle to TTaterbury. But 
Timothy soon became home-sick and returned to Lebanon and 
Thomas was allowed to take his place, to become, afterwards, 
the adopted son and principal heir of Stanley. He was accept- 
ed as a £40 proprietor, Dec. 12, 1711. He became a " cloth- 
weaver," learning his trade of his uncle, with whom he con- 
tinued to live after marriage, managing the farm, and taking 
care of the " old folks." In June, 1713, his father, by adop- 
tion, deeded to him a part of his property, and at his death 
gave him a large proportion of the remainder, by will. After 
the decease of Stanley, Clark occupied the old homestead. 
Here he wove " plain cloth at ls-3d pr. yard,"* " checkerd 
shirtin at Is 3d per yard ;" " druged [drugget] at 12d. a 
yard ;" striped flannel, etc., &c. He probably occupied 
himself at his loom during the winter season and in bad weath- 
er. He continued to cultivate his farm and exchanged its sur- 
plus products for the spare products of his neighbors' in- 
dustry. He had a slave, named Mingo,t who, when not need- 
ed at home, worked for those who wanted him, for hire. 
When his sons became old enough — Timothy, Tliomas, David 
— they occasionally labored at farm work, for others, frequent- 
ly with the team, and their wages were charged to the debt- 
ors by their father. The girls, too — Mary, Sarah, Hannah, 
Hepzibah — though belonging to one of the '* first families " 

* The book in which he kept his " accounts," commencing in 1T2T, is now in my possession, 
having been loaned me by his granddaughter, Mrs. Aurelia Clark. 

+ At Dea. Clark's death, Mingo was to be permitted to choose which of his master's sons he 
would live with. Being attached to his old home, he resided for a time with Thomas ; but after 
the latter commenced keeping tavern, he did not like his occupatirn and went to live with 
Timothy, on Town Plot. He died, worth considerable property, in ISOO. 




Mi-ErjirsAmm.z-ArTi.w 




'.Kiiiy.rrinhr.Kf. 



HISTOKY OF WATERBUEY. 145 

of the town, and liaving more than the iisnal accomplish- 
ments of that time, frequently " went out to work " hy the 
day, or the week, thus contributing to the support of a numer- 
ous family. Honest labor was in those days respectable, and 
none was too good to engage in it. In addition to his other 
business, Mr. Clark seems to have kept for sale some of the 
common goods which are found in a retail store, such as " shug- 
ger," molasses, salt, wine, " rumb," tobacco, nails. He ap- 
pears to have bought his goods sometimes in Derby and some- 
times in New Haven. He also occasionally took boarders, 
and has several charges against the Colony for "victeling " sol- 
diers that were passing through the town. Being appointed 
a justice of the peace in 1736, (which office he held twenty- 
five out of the tw^enty-nine years of his remaining life,) he be- 
came somewhat acquainted with legal forms, and was often 
applied to to draw deeds, bonds, agreements and such simple 
writings as are most called for among a rural population. 

No man in his day succeeded more comj^letely in securing 
the good opinion and entire confidence of his fellow towns- 
men, than Thomas Clark. He occupied positions of trust and 
responsibility. He was a selectman in_18_31:, 1736 and 1737 ; 
a town deputy in Oct. 1727, 1728 and 1736 ; town treasurer 
from 1755 to 1760 and a justice of the peace, as has been men- 
tioned. On Mr. Southmayd's death in 1755, he was chosen 
town and proprietor's clerk, and was continued in office till his 
decease. He wrote not an elegant, but a very legible hand. 
He was the third deacon of the churcli, being appointed in 
1728 to succeed Dea. Ilickox, who died in that year. 

Thomas Clark's son Thomas succeeded his father in the oc- 
cupancy of the homestead, and kept a tavern till his decease, 
Oct. 25, 1779. The house was the scene of some interesting 
events during the Revolutionary War. Capt. Lemuel Har- 
rison's dwelling was built, for the most part, on the same foun- 
dations as the " old Clark house." 

JOSEPH GAYLORD. 

He was the son of Walter Gaylord and the grandson of 
Dea. William Gaylord of Windsor; the latter a leading man 
of that town. He was born May 13, 1649, and m. July 14, 
10 



146 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

1G70, Sarah, cl. of Jolm Stanley of Farmington. Whether he 
removed from Windsor first to Farmington and then to Mat- 
tatuck, or directly from Windsor to Mattatnck, is uncertain. 
He was not one of the first subscribers of the articles ; but was 
accepted Jan, 15, 1677,(1677-8.) He came to Mattatuck early, 
probably in the spring of 1678, and is named in the four divis- 
ions of fence. Still, he did not keep his engagements, and his 
right was declared forfeited, Feb. 1682-3. But he "submit- 
ted," and by better performance, regained and perfected his title 
to an £80 propriety. He is mentioned in all the lists of proprie- 
tors. He was collector of minister's rates in 1698, 1699 and 
1700. In 1687, his lot of three acres was on the corner of East 
and North IMain streets — south and west on highway, north 
on John Stanley and east on common. This place, with the 
house and barn, he sold, Feb. 2, 1703, (1703-4,) to Stephen 
Welton, son of John, reserving a quarter of an acre at the 
east end on which his son Joseph had erected a dwelling. 
After this, he built a house at Breakneck, (or at any rate he 
owned one there with twenty-two acres of land,) which he sold 
and deeded, Feb. 26, 1705-6, to John Bronson, " son of Isaac," 
as already stated. Whether he lived for a time at Breakneck, I 
have no means of ascertaining with certainty, though it is 
probable he did. Most likely he sold out as a preparation for 
removing from tlie town. Several members of his family had 
already gone to Durham, and he soon followed, there being 
no traces of him in Waterbury after the sale referred to. I 
find him in Durham in the early part of 1708, where he died 
before 1713. 
Children : 

1. Sarah; b. July 11, 1671 ; m. Thomas Judd, known as Thomas Judd, Jr. 

2. Joseph; b. April 2'2, 1673; m. Feb. 8, 1609-1700, Mary, d. of Joseph 
Hickox, deed., of Woodbury, and had three children, Elizabeth, Joseph (died in 
infancy) and Thankful, all born in Waterbury. He was chosen fence viewer in 
1698 and 1703, and admitted to bachelor privileges in 1699. He built a house 
on East Main street, on the east end of his father's lot. In April, 1702, the propri- 
etors granted him and his brothers John and William, and Richard Porter, " eight 
acres apiece, at the place they talk of going to live at on the west side [the river], 
provided they go and live there with their families." To this place, presumed to 
be Breakneck, where his father built a house, he (and the others) did not go. 
Afterwards, probably in 1703 or 1704, he and his brother John erected houses on 
Buckshill and removed thither. They were, however, not contented ; but soon 



IIISTOEY OF WATERBURY. 147 

pulled up and went to Durham. Joseph had left as early as Jan. 7, 110.5-6. The 
names of both and that of then- father, and also of their brothers-in-law, Joseph 
and Stephen Hickox, arc mentioned in the patent of Durham, in 1708. In Oct. 
1708, for "eleven pounds in building and four pounds teen shillings to be dun 
in worck at s^ durrum," Gaylord deeded to Richard Welton his house and lot of 
seven acres at Buckshill — "east on highway, west on said Gayland's land, south 
on John Gayland's house lot, north on John Warner's house lot." 

Joseph Gayland, 2d, after having lived in Durham many years, removed to 
Wallingford. He and his brothers, John and Benjamin, and his sister, Joanna 
Royce, were in the latter place in 1722. "Joseph Gaylord, Jr.," was in Water- 
bury in 1730, apparently from Wallingford. 

3. John ; b. April 21, 1677 ; was one of the first nine bachelor pi'oprietors, ad- 
mitted March 26, 1799. He lived by the side of his brother Joseph on Buckshill, 
having a lot of six and three quarter acres, butting north on Joseph Gaylord, Jr's 
house lot, east and south on highway, west on common, which he bought of "John 
Warner of Buckshill." He removed with his elder brother to Durham, and finally 
to Wallingford, where he d. about 1753. His will was presented to the Probate 
Court in New Haven the first Monday in January, 1754, in which he names six 
sons and five daughters. His estate in Wallingford amounted to £1,995, and in 
Farmington to about £560. 

Sarah, Joseph and John Gaylord, children of Joseph, Sen., were born in Windsor. 

4. William. He was accepted as a £40 proprietor, March, 1701, but forfeited his 
right, removed to Woodbury and joined the church there, Jan. 13, 1706. He 
was among those taxed for the "North Purchase" in 1712, (Cothren, Vol I, p. 83.) 
Afterwards he removed to New Milford,* where he d. about 1753. His will was 
approved Nov. 23, 1753, in which is mentioned his wife Mercy and six children. 
He was an ensign, and his first wife's name was Joanna, who joined the church in 
Woodbury, Dec. 7th, 1712. His son Nathan, of New Milford, m. Hannah, d. of 
John Bronson, son of Isaac. 

5. Benjamin. He lived in Durham. 

6. EHzabeth ; b. 1680 ; m. (the same day as her brother Joseph) Joseph 
Hickox, son of Sergt. Samuel, deceased. 

7. Mary ; m. March 4, 1701-2, Stephen, son of John Welton, 1st, and d. July 
18, 1709. 

8. Abagail; b. in Waterbury, and bap. in Farmington, Nov. 7, 16SG, and m. 
James Williams. They both lived in Hartford in March, 1722. 

9. Joanna; m. Robert Royce. They were both of Wallingford, Nov. 1722. 

10. Ruth ; m. Stephen Hickox, and lived in Durham. 

THOMAS HANCOX. 

He was an early settler of Farmington and one of the 
eighty-four proprietors of 1672. He was one of the first thirty 
who signed the Mattatuck articles ; but was dilatory in his 
movements, and is not mentioned in the first three divisions of 

* He is stated, erroneously, in the extracts from Mr. Griswold's sermon, in Barber's Con. 
Historical Collections, to have come from Windsor. 



14:8 HISTOKY OF WATERBUEY. 

fence. He was among tlie delinquents whose allotments were 
condemned by the act of Feb. 1682-3 ; but he subscribed (June 
4, 1683) to the new conditions imposed by that act, "reform- 
ed," and was restored to his rights, having a £100 propriety. 
I cannot find that he did anything to preserve his memory in 
Mattatuck ; but he left his name to the brook and meadows 
at Waterville. His house and home lot of one and three quar- 
ter acres were on the north side of West Main street. The lot 
was bounded north and south on highway, east on Thomas 
Newell and west on Robert Porter. These Hancox sold, to- 
gether with other lands and his propriety right, in Feb. 
1687-8, to Lieut. Judd, and quit the town, shaking the dust 
from his feet, perhaps. He probably left about the time of 
the above sale. He was in Farmington Dec. 22d, 1688, in 
Hartford June, 1695, and in Farmington, (Kensington,) again, 
Jan. 1720-21. 

Thomas Hancox m, March 17, 1681-5, Eachel Leonard of 
Springfield. 

Children : 

1. Thomas; b. March 13, 1685-6, and lived in Hartford and Boston. 

2. John ; b. Aug. 1, 1688, and lived in Springfield. 

3. William; b. March 1, 1690-91, and d. 1721. 

4. Rachel; b. Feb. Y, 1692-3, and d. lISl. 

5. Daniel; b. Jan. 1, 1694-5, and m. June 4, 1724, Rachel Porter. 

6. Mehitabel; b. Dec. 4, 1698, and m. Ebenezer Barnes. 

HICKOX. 

The planters of Waterbury bearing this name, Samuel and 
Joseph, are supposed to have been brothers, and sons of Wil- 
liam Hickox of Farmington, one of the original proprietors 
and first settlers of that town. The latter died early. The 
names of Samuel and Joseph are on the list of the proprietors 
of Farmington, in 1672. 

SAMUEL HICKOX. 

He was one of the original thirty, and is believed to have 
been a member of the first company that came to our town. 
He was one of the assignees of the first Indian deed, and is 
named in all the fence divisions and proprietors' lists. So far 
as appears, he never once halted in the work he had underta- 
ken. He lived where C. B. Merriman now resides, havinof a 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 149 

home lot of two acres, bounded, in March, 1690-91, south on 
liighway, north on "highland," west on Joseph Ilickox's 
heirs, and east on Benjamin Barnes. He was called sergeant 
as early as 1686. When the train-band was organized, or re- 
organized, after the resumption of the colonial government 
under the charter, he was appointed sergeant and was ever af- 
terwards known as Serg. Samuel Hickox. He held different 
offices by appointment of the grand committee and proprie- 
tors — w^as townsman in 1682, &c. He was one of the leading 
men of the settlement, and died at his post, at a critical time, 
when men of the right stamp could be poorly spared. His 
inventory was taken Feb. 28, 1694—5, amounting to £434:. 
Children: 

1. Samuel ; b. 1669 ; m. April 16, 1690, Elizabeth, d. of John Plumb of Milford. 
He had a grant of land from the proprietors when he was but eighteen years old, 
" three acres at Pine swamp by the path that leads to the saw-mill." Jan. 20, 
1692, he had two acres granted " on the side of chesnut hill near to his boggy 
meadow convenient for a yard," (for drying cloth ?) He lived on the corner of 
East Main and Cherry streets, where he had built a house before Sept. 1703. 
This place, bounded west on Stephen Welton and Samuel Stanley, north on 
John Bronson, south and east on highway, he conveyed, Jan. 26, 1705-6, to his 
brother Thomas, the latter having built him a barn and chimney and deeded to 
him sixteen acres of land at Judd's Meadow. The barn and chimney were proba- 
bly at Judd's Meadow, where Samuel "had set his house" as early as Dec. 21, 
1702, and where he was certainly living before December, 1705. He was probably 
the first settler of Naugatuck. He erected a fulling-mill on Fulling-Mill Brook (so 
called from the mill) about 1709, and his house was by the brook. Some of his 
lands " ran across the road that led to New Haven." 

Samuel Hickox died in the great sickness, June 3, 1713, and his widow, Oct. 17, 
1749. They had ten children, six of whom lived to be married. Ebenezer and 
John were bachelor proprietors. The first, after 1741, removed to Danbury and 
Norwalk, and the last, before July, 1720, to Durham. 

2. Hannah; b. 1671 ; m. John Judd of Waterbury. 

3. William; b. 1673; m. about 1696, Eebecca, d. of Abraham Andruss, (1st,) 
and d. Nov. 4, 1737. He was a bachelor proprietor and man of note — grand juror, 
school committee, surveyor, constable, townsman, (many times,) moderator of 
town meeting, captain ia 1727, and deputy in 1728. He was always known by 
his military title. He lived where the church of the First Congregational Society 
now stands. The place he bought of Joseph Hickox (son of Joseph, deed.) of 
Woodbury, May 17, 1699. The lot, containing two acres, was bounded, March 
12, 1704-5, north on common land, south on highway, east on a house lot of the 
heirs of Serg. Hickox, deed., west on a house lot of the heirs of Philip Judd, 
deed. The house lot which was Philip Judd's he afterwards purchased. Still 

ater, he came into possession of three quarters of his father's homestead. In Sept. 
1732, for £300, he deeded all to Samuel Camp, son of Edward, of Milford, seven 



150 HISTORY OF "WATEREURT. 

acres, with the house, barn, and mill-house, butted east on land of Joseph Smith, 
north on Samuel Scott, son of George, west on Dea. Clark, south on highway, re" 
serving one quarter part of his father's lot belonging to the heirs of Thomas 
Hickox, deed., and reserving also "twenty foot square of land down the hill near 
the mill house as it is stoned out." This property, with the same reservations. 
Camp (who then improved it) conveyed, in 1736, for £185, to Dea. Thomas Judd. 
Capt. William Ilickox lost three sons in the great sickness of 1713. One son 
only, Capt. Samuel, survived him and had a family. His will bears date Jan. 4, 
1732-3. Among his effects were Lewis, a negro man @ £140, and " fillis a negro 
woman" @ £100. 

4. Thomas ; b. 1675 ; m. Mary, daughter of Serg. Isaac Bronson, and d. June '28, 
1728. His widow married Dea. Samuel Bull of Woodbury, and died a widow. 
March 28, 1694, he had a grant of land, four acres for a house lot, on the west side 
of Carrington Brook, ou the south side of the highway to Farmington ; but he does 
not appear to have built on it. He was made a bachelor proprietor in 1699 ; was 
grand juror, school committee, and townsman, at different times ; represented the 
town in the Legislature two sessions, in 1722 and 1723, and was appointed a deacon 
in 1724, being the second who had held this office in the church. He is called 
*' husbandman" in a deed. His residence was on the corner of East Main and 
Cherry streets, being the place he bought of his brother Samuel in 1705-6. He 
died in the prime of life, much regretted. His estate was valued at £1,251, and his 
homestead at £140. 

5. Joseph ; b. 1678, and ni. Elizabeth Gaylord. He was accepted as a bachelor 
proprietor, March 26, 1699, and in the same month received a grant of land " on 
y« east side of y« little brook buting on gorg scotthom lot being a triangle peace 
betwein y^ highways for a hous lot on condition y' he fence and improue it four 
yeirs not to pregedis y^ liigli wayes nor hinder y« town coming to y« claypits." 
On this lot, which lay between North Main and Grove streets, east of Andrew 
Bryan's house, Hickox built a house, which he deeded, with three and a half acres 
of land, to John Judd, (1st,) Nov. 5, 1714, bounded east, west, north and south, on 
highway. He obtained the office of "chimney viewer" in 1701 and 17o3, and 
begat two children, Joseph and Hannah, both of whom (and also a sister, Ruth) 
were living in 1725-6. Being satisfied with what he had done for Waterbury, and 
having made fast his propriety right, he quit the place, going to Durham with the 
Gaylords, where he died in 1725. He was a carpenter. 

6. Mary ; b. 1681 ; m. John Bronson, sou of Isaac, and died " March 21, 1713." 

7. Elizabeth ; bap. Nov. 12, 1682 ; m. Dec. 1724, John Norton, (of Durham, 
previously of Saybrook '?) 

8. Stephen ; bap. April 12, 1685, and m. Ruth Gaylord. He was admitted a 
bachelor proprietor, Jan. 7, 1705-6 ; but soon caught the run-away fever and 
followed his brother and father-in-law to Durham, thus losing his bachelor right. 
He was one of those whose feelings were hurt that the proprietors should give 
away their lands so liberally, he having a small interest after the decease of his 
father. His death took place before 1737-8. He had sons and daughters, Sam- 
uel, Stephen, Ruth Johnson and Sarah Spelman. 

9. Benjamin ; b. 1686. He was " of Stamford " in 1715, and had a suit in the 
Superior Court at Fairfield] about a negro boy, Dunboy, whom he claimed and 
had attached. He was living in Norwalk in ilay, 1735. 



HISTORY OF "WATERBURY, 151 

10. Mercy; bap. April 8, 1689. 

11. Ebcnezer ; b. I*j9.j. He chose, in lv07, his brother William his guardian. 
He was in Danbury in June, 1722. 

JOSEPH HICKOX. 

I suppose liiiii to liave been younger than his brother Sam- 
uel, lie subscribed the articles in 1674, and had a $60 allot- 
ment. He was early in Mattatuck, but was not there in " a 
steady way," I conclude; for though his name is in the first, 
second and fourth fence divisions, it is not in the third. He 
lived next west of his brother Samuel, between the latter and 
Philip Judd, having a lot of two acres. This lot, bounded 
north on common land, his son Joseph sold and conveyed, 
May 17, 1690, to his cousin William Hickox, as before stated. 

Only the scantiest memorials remain of Joseph Hickox, 
first. lie was the first proprietor that left the settlement, (and 
the first that died.) IJe removed to Woodbury, (Southbury,) 
in the early part of 1686 ; joined the church there May 2d, 
1686, and died in 1687. His estate amounted to £107 in Wa- 
terbury and £100 in Woodbury. 

JOHX HOPKINS. 

His grandfather, John Hopkins, settled at Cambridge, Mass., 
in 1634 ; was made a freeman in 1685, and removed to Hartford, 
in 1636, where he became a juror, in 1643. It is not known 
what relation, if any, he bore to Stephen Hopkins, who came 
to Plymouth, Mass., in 1620, or to Edward Hoj^kins, who ar- 
rived at Boston in 1637, afterwards governor of Connecticut. 
He could not, however, have been a near relative of the last. 
His will was dated in 1648, and the inventory of his estate 
taken April 14, 3 654. He left a widow Jane, who after- 
wards married Nathaniel Ward, and two children, Stephen 
and Bethiah. The last married Samuel Stocking of Middle- 
town. 

Stephen Hopkins, the father of John of Waterbury, made 
a freeman 1656, married Dorcas, daughter of John Bronson, 
1st, of Farmington. He died about 1689, and his widow. 
May 10, 1697. His will bore date Sept. 28, 1680, and his in- 
ventory, (amounting to £591,) Nov. 6, 1689. His children 
named in his will, were : 



152 niSTOKY OF WATEKBURY. 

1. John ; 2. Stephen ; b. 1065 ; ni. Sarah, d. of Lieut. Thomas 

Judd and Hannah . He had children, Thomas, Sarah and 

Eachel, and d. 1704. 3. Ebenezer ; b. 1669, and m. Mary 
Butler, d. of Samuel of Wethersiield, Jan. 21, 1691. 4. Jo- 
seph ; m. Ilannali, d. of Paul Peek of Hartford, April 27, 
1693. 5. Dorcas; m. Jonathan Webster, May 11, 1681. 6. 
Mary ; m. Samuel Sedgwick. 

John Hojikins, the son of Stephen of Hartford, came to 
Mattatuck to tend his father's milk The mill was built ap- 
parently in 1680, and John probably took charge of it at that 
time. He did not however become a proprietor immediately. 
Perhaps he was not then of age. His name is not on either 
of the fence-division lists, so frequently referred to. The fath- 
er had a house lot granted him, Feb. 5, 1680-81, which was 
probably intended for the son. The latter is first mentioned, 
Feb. 6, 1682, (1682-3,) when Dea. Lankton's forfeited allot- 
ments were confirmed to him by the committee. He was then 
called " the present miller." 

John Hopkins was one of the most respected and influen- 
tial of the early settlers of "Waterbuiy. He ground the peo- 
ple's corn, " corn being suitable to grind," and was one of the 
youngest of the original proprietors. He subscribed to the £60 
settlement of the first minister ; was townsman in 1692, and 
several times afterwards; constable in 1702 ; grand juror for 
two years; deputy in 1704, and many times from 1708 to 1726; 
justice of the peace from 1725 to 1729, inclusive. He held 
the office of town clerk in 1713. He wrote his own signature 
in a fair hand ; but his chirography was generally bad and his 
ink poor, making the records, as kept by him, difiicult to deci- 
pher. He was also tavern keeper from 1712 to 1718, inclusive, 
and probably earlier, and "ordinary keeper" in 1714 and 
1715. He obtained, too, military honors so much sought for 
in his day, being sergeant in 1714, ensign in 1715, and lieu- 
tenant in 1716. After the latter date, he was known as Left. 
Hopkins. When the new meeting house came to be seated 
in 1729, he was one of the revered dignitaries wdio were voted 
" into the first pew at the west end of the pulpit." 

John Hopkins' house lot was situated on the corner of East 
Main and Bank streets. It contained two acres, and was 



IIISTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 153 

"bounded, Dec. 26, 1691, north and west on liigliway, south on 
Thomas Warner, and east on common land. The house stood 
on Main street a little east of the lane put down on the map as 
Brook street. 

John Hopkins was a large landholder. He gave away 
much land during his life time to his children, by deed ; still, 
he left a considerable estate. He died Nov. 1C32, his inven- 
tory amounting to £1,251, 15s. His wife's name was Hannah 
, and their children were : 

1. A daughter; b. Dee. 22d, 1684, and d. Jan. 4, 1084-5 — the death being the 
first recorded iu the town. 

2. John; b. March 29, 1086; bap. in Hartford and died ia Hartford, Dec. 5, 
1Y09. 

S. Consider; b. Nov. 10, 1687; m. Elizabeth Graham, " rehct of George Gra- 
ham of Hartford," and died in Hartford in 1720. 

4. Stephen; b. No%'. 19, 1689, and died 1709. He received "bachelor accom- 
modations," in 1712; was townsman in 1724 and afterwards; deputy many 
times after 1732 ; special agent to the General Court, in 1737 and 1738, &c. He 
was a prominent man in his day. His house was near the west corner of East 
Main and Mill streets. The lot his father bought of Richard Porter in May, 1711, 
described as "before Thomas Hickox's house, two acres, east, west and north on 
highway, south on common land." In Oct. 1713, the "town" granted to Stephen 
Hopkins one and a half acres, (laid out as two acres,) south of the above land, and 
adjoining to it. In June, 1718, the father deeded to the son his two acres, on 
which a house had been built, valuing both to him at £35. Afterwards, (Dec. 11, 
1729,) the latter sold the house and lot of four acres, bounded north, soutli, east 
and west on highway, to Jonathan Garnsey, and Garnsey conveyed it, March 
19, 1735, to Thomas Barnes. 

Stephen Hopkins I suppose to have assisted his father in the care of the mill. 
After the death of the latter, Stephen and Timothy, executors of the will of the 
deceased, sold out the mill and mill lands, the deed bearmg date Jan. 17S2-3. About 
this time, probably, (certainly before Oct. 7, 1734,) Stephen removed to Judd's 
Meadow, locating himself on, or near, the New Haven road and Fulling Mill 
Brook. 

5. Timothy; b. Nov. 16, 1691, and d. Feb. 5, 1748-9.* He had a bachelor 
right granted him in 1715. He was a farmer ; was called "yeoman" and "hus- 
bandman," in deeds, and had much to do with public business. He was on seve- 
ral occasions, constable, seclectman, grand juror and moderator of town meeting. 
He was justice of the peace from 1734 to 1742 inclusive, and, for many years, 
a representative to the General Court. He obtained military distinction, and was 
made a captain in 1732. No man of the town seems to have had, in a greater de- 
gree, the confidence of the public. 

* On his tombstone, now standing, is this not unfamiliar verse : 
When this you see, 
Then think on me. 



154 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

Timothy Hopkins, after his marriage, Uved with his father, the latter having 
conveyedtohim,in June, 1719, by deed, one half of the house and homestead of two 
acres, valuing them to him at £40 advancement. After the decease of the father, 
the son became the owner of the whole ; and in April, 1*740, added to it the lot (with 
a house) adjoining on the south, two and three quarter acres, bought of John Pun- 
derson of New Haven, and which Punderson purchased of James Johnson, bound- 
ed west on highway, &c. The entire lot, then called four and a half acres, the 
son conveyed " with the buildings, fencings, orcharding," &c., April 4th, 1743, 
to Lieut. John Bronson, for £540 old tenor, bounded southerly on Stephen Upson, 
easterly on Jonathan Baldwin's home lot, &c. 

After the sale of his homestead, Capt. Hopkins appears to have owned a house 
and other buildings beyond the Umits of the village, out East, whither he, per- 
haps, removed. 

6. Samuel; b. Dec. 27, 1G93. He settled in West Springfield. 

7. Mary; b. Jan. 27, 1696-7 ; m. Samuel Hickox. 

8. Hannah; b. April 23, 1699, and m. Daniel Porter, 2d. 

9. ; b. at same date as the last, and d. an infant. 

10. Dorcas; b. Feb. 12, 17u5-G, and m. James Porter. 

BEXJAMIX JONES. 

He was accepted in the place of John Andmss, and was not 
one of the first company of settlers. His name is first mention- 
ed among those who had allotments in the fourth division of 
fence, about 1680-81. But little is known of bim. His house 
and lot of two acres were on the west side of Willow street, 
south of William Brown's dwelling. The land was bounded, 
in 1687, southwest on "a great lot," northeast on Thomas 
Judd's land and highway, westwardly on Ensign Thomas 
Judd's land and eastwardly on highway. He removed to 'New 
Haven about 1689, where he bought of William Johnson of 
]Sr. H., for £50, sixty-six and a half acres of land at a place on 
" West Side," (West Haven,) called Shepherd's Hill, " running 
to a highway next the sea." His propriety right of £100 was 
sold by his son Benjamin, in 1715, to Dea. Thomas Judd, for 
forty shillings, and was conveyed by the latter, in April, 1717, 
to his son William. 

Whence Benjamin Jones came, and from whom he de- 
scended, I am not informed. He was married to Hannah 
Spencer, at Milford, May 2d, 1661, and had a sou Benjamin 
born there, in June, 1662. (S. Judd.) He died in JSTew Haven, 
Dec. 30, 1690, and his estate was settled in the County Court of 
IS". H. His widow, Hannah, was administratrix, and guardian 
of the only child, Benjamin. This minor son was not, of course, 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 155 

the one born in Milford, in 1G62. The latter must have died, and 
another been born having the same name. Isaac Bronson and 
Thomas Jndd, smith, took an inventory of the deceased man's 
estate in "Waterbury. 

Benjamin Jones, 2d, had born in New Haven, between 
1706 and 1T22, Benjamin, Hannah, Eiith, Vinson, Martha and 
Ebenezer. 

JUDD. 

Thomas Judd, ancestor of the Judds of New England, came 
from England in 1633 or 1634, and settled first in Cambridge, 
near Boston, where lands were granted him in 1634. He re- 
moved to Hartford in 1636 and to Farmington about 1644, 
where he lived till 1679, and buried his wife. He then went 
to Northampton and married a widow Mason, who was child- 
less and had a good estate. There he died Nov. 9, 1688. He 
was the second deacon of the church of Farmington and a 
deputy from that town in 1657, and afterwards. 

His children were : 

1. William, and 2. Elizabeth. Both of them were born 
between 1633 and 1636, but it is uncertain Avhich was the oldest. 
3. Tliomas ; b. about . 1738. 4. John ; b. about 1740. He 
was a non-fulfilling subscriber. 5. Benjamin; b. about 1642 
— a non-fulfilling subscriber. 6. Mary; b. about 1644; m. 
June 1, 1662, Thomas Loomis of Windsor. 7. Euth ; b. 
1646-7, m. John, son of John Steele. 8. Philip ; b. 1649 and 
baptized Sept. 2, 1649. 9. Samuel ; b. about 1653. His fath- 
er subscribed the articles for him in 1674. He proposed join- 
ing the settlement in Mattatuck and had allotments of fence 
in the first and fourth divisions ; but he failed at the critical 
time, and joined his father in Northampton, where he died 
in 1721. 

„- William Judd, the eldest son of Dea. Thomas of Farming- 
ton and the father of Dea. Thomas of AVaterbury, married 
Mary, daughter of John Steele, March 30, 1658, and died late 
in 1690, leaving an ample estate of £693. His inventory was 
presented to Court, Nov. 5, 1690.* His widow, Mary, died 

* I cannot reconcile these dates, taken from Mr. Sylvester Judd's Genealogy of Thomas 
Judd, with an entry on the Farmington record, which, under date of March 20, 1690-91, refers 
to " Thomas Judd son of William, both residents of Waterbury." Perhaps I have made a mis- 
take in copying. 



156 IIISTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 

Oct. 27, 1718, aged about eighty. The chikh-en's births are 
inferred from the baptisms, and the age given by the probate 
record. Their names were : 

1. Mary ; b. 1658 ; m. Abel Janes of Northampton. 2. 
Thomas ; b. 1662, (baptized Oct. 13, 1662.) 3. John ; b. 1667, 
and d. in Farmington, 1710, leaving three children. 4. Ea- 
chel; b. 1770; d. unmarried, 1703. 5. Samuel; b. 1673; m. 
Ann Hart, in 1710 and Abigail Phelps of Westfield, in 1725. 
He lived in Farmington, had children and died 1728. 6. Dan- 
iel ; b. 1675 ; lived in Farmington ; m. in 1705, Mercy Mitch- 
ell of Woodbury ; d. April 29, 1718, having had eight child- 
ren. 7. Elizabeth ; b. 1678 ; was living in 1718 immarried. 

All the sons of Dea. Judd of Farmington, six in number, 
signed the articles, first and last ; but only two became per- 
manent settlers of AVaterbury. 

LIEUT. THOMAS JUDD. 

Thomas Judd, the second son of Deacon Thomas of Farm- 
ington, was one of the original thirty. He subscribed as 
Thomas Judd, Jr. Afterwards, when his son Thomas became 
proprietor, he was known as Tliomas Judd, Sen., and finally as 
Lieut. Thomas Judd. He was one of the first company of 
settlers, and discharged promptly all his obligations as a plant- 
er. He shirked no responsibility, and exposed himself to 
no censure or rebuke. He was one of the assignees to whom 
the first Indian deed was made over, in Sept. 1677, and was a 
grantee in the other and later Indian deeds. He is named in 
the first division of fence, and was one of the committee to 
lay it out, Jan. 1677-8. He had a like interest and a like 
agency in the other divisions. After his brother William 
abandoned the settlement, he was more than any other single 
person the leading man of the infant town. He was general- 
ly named by the grand committee as one of the persons who 
were to act in their absence, in certain emergencies. In the 
discharge of his duties as committee, John Stanley was usu- 
ally associated with him. Judd's name was nearly always men- 
tioned first, in part, perhaps, because he was older than Stanley. 

Thomas Judd lived on the north side of West Main street, 
next east of John Bronson, his lot of two and one quarter 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 157 

acres, extending throuo-li to the back street, bounded, in Nov. 
1687, easterly on Daniel Warner, westerly on John Bronson, 
&c. After liis death, his son Thomas took the old home- 
stead. 

Tliomas 'Jiidd was one of the patentees in the first town 
patent. He was called sergeant in 1682 and afterwards, and 
occasionally ensign, (in copied records,) in 1686, 1687 and 1688. 
After Andros had abandoned the government, and the Water- 
bmy train-band became entitled to a lieutenant, John Stanley 
received the commission of lieutenant, and Judd that of 
ensign. Why this precedence was given to Stanley, the junior 
in age, I am unable to say, unless he had some important ad- 
vantage over his friend in military bearing. However, Judd 
was compensated. He was the first deputy to the General 
Court, (in May, 1689,) and was often reelected to the 
office. He was the first commissioner of the town, and was 
continued in ofiice till a law was passed requiring at least 
three or four justices of the peace in each county. He was 
then, (in 1699, or earlier,) appointed the first justice of the 
peace — a great honor ; and was annually reappointed till his 
death. In 1696, after Lieut. Stanley had removed to Farm- 
ington, he was promoted to a lieutenancy, the highest military 
ofiice allowed in the town, till 1716. No doubt he bore him- 
self gallantly. 

Lieut. Judd died Jan. 10, 1702-3, " in the sixty-fifth year 
of his age," at a time when his assistance and counsel were 
much needed. His sons John and Thomas were administra- 
tors, and the inventory of his estate, amounting to £1:07, bore 
date Jan. 30, 1702-3. His wife, Sarah, daughter of John 
Steel of Farmington, died May 22, 1695, in " the fifty-seventh 
year of her age." They were both members of Mr. Hooker's 
church in Farmington, in 1680. 

Children: 

1. Thomas; born probably in 1663. 

2. John. He received a grant of land as early as 1689-90 — four acres — to be 
his on condition that he remained four years in the town ; but his name is rarely 
mentioned till after 1700. He was not a bachelor proprietor, it not being the 
practice to admit as such any person who had come into possession of another's 
right, by inheritance or otherwise ; but in virtue of the right of his father which 
was distributed to him, he had an addition of two forty pound rights. He was 



158 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKT. 

surveyor in 1103 ; grand juror in l1(\o ; townsman in 1706 ; town collector in 170*7 ; 
town treasurer in 1712, &c. In Dec. 1713, he was appointed town clerk, which 
office he held till his death. His chirography is atrociously bad — worse even 
than that of his immediate predecessors in office. His last record was a part of 
a deed from himself to John Welton, dated and acknowledged May 5th, 1717. 
The record was finished by his successor, William Judd. His decease took place 
in the latter part of 1717, (N. S.) The inventory of his estate, amounting to £305, 
was taken Jan. 3, 1717-18. Capt. Thomas Judd was guardian of the four young- 
est children, in 1720. 

John Judd had a house and house lot of one acre and a half which he obtained 
by exchange, March 4, 1704, of John Warner, bounded east on Jonathan Scott's 
house lot, north, south and west on highway. This he exchanged, Nov. 5, 1714, 
with Joseph Hickox of Durham, said Hickox conveying to him a house and lot of 
three and a half acres, lying between Cook, Grove and North Main streets, butted 
north, south, east and west on highways, where I suppose Judd afterwards lived. 

3. Sarah ; m. Nov. 17, 1686, Stephen Hopkins, Jr., of Hartford. Her death is 
recorded in Waterbury as having taken place May 11, 1693, in the twenty-eighth 
year of her age. She left a son, Thomas, and two daughters. 

PHILIP JUDD. 

He was the sixth son of Dea. Thomas Jn'dd, and m. Han- 
nah, d. of Thomas Loomis of Windsor, Not much is known 
of him. He subscribed the articles June 13, 1687, (having al- 
ready — in 1686 — received some land grants,) being accepted 
in the place of his brother Samuel. He signed the agreement 
with Mr. Peck, in 1689, and died soon after. His death oc- 
curred before the expiration of the four years required by the 
articles of settlement, thus securing his riglit to his family. 
He was the first of the original proprietors who died in Wa- 
terbury. Ensign Thomas Judd and Thomas Judd, smith, ad- 
ministered on his estate. His inventory, taken Nov. 2, 1689, 
amounted to £237 in Waterbury, and £92 in Farmington- 
He was much in debt. The family removed from Waterbury, 
and the children all settled in Danbury. 

Philip Judd's house lot of two acres (" y' fell to him by alot" 
ment") was on the north side of West Main street, next west 
of Joseph Hickox's home lot, and was bounded, March 27, 
1708, west on Obadiah Richards, deed., east on William Hick- 
ox, north on common, south on highway, (no house mentioned 
at this date.) The lot was sold, Nov. 1711, by Benjamin Judd, 
son of Philip, to William Hickox, for £8, 10s., butted north on 
George Scott's land, and on the other sides as described above. 



UISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 159 

Children : 

1. Philip; baptized in Farmington, March 13, 1680-81. He settled in Danbiuy 
(Bethel Society,) and died between 1760 and 1765, leaving children. 

2. Thomas ; baptized May 27, 1683, and died young. 

3. Hannah; baptized in F. Oct. 19, 1684, and married Thomas Hoyt of Dan- 
bury. They were both living in April, 1721. 

4. WiUiam ; baptized in F. July 3, 1687. He mar. Dec. 23, 1709, Mary, daugh- 
ter of Thomas Gridly of Farmington, where he had two daughters, Eunice and 
Elizabeth, born in 1710 and 1712-13. He removed thence first to Waterbury 
then to Danbury. He was in the former place in 1716 and in the latter in 1717 
and 1720. He appears to have been the "William Judd, tailor," of the Waterbury 
records. 

5. Benjamin; bap. in F. May 4, 1690. He Avas hving in Danbury in 1711 and 
1727. He became the owner of his father's £80 propriety and sold it to Timothy 
Hopkins. 

THOMAS JUDD, THE SOX OF WILLIAM. 
His name is first mentioned in the Waterbmy records, 
Dec, 31, 1685, when he had a grant of hmd from the pro- 
prietors "on ye north sid of his hous lot to bute on John 
Scouels thre acre lot." This house lot was one of two acres 
on Willow Street, north of John Scovill's, which had been 
granted to his father and forfeited, and then bestowed on 
the son. It is recorded as a part of the estate of the latter, 
under date of December 26, 1691, which was granted by the 
committee. He is next mentioned, Jan. 3, 1686, (1686-7,) 
and again March 27, 1687, and again Sept. 29, 1687. His 
name is on the list of proprietors of 1688, and he was again 
grantee of the town Jan. 21, 1689, (1689-90,) and again Jan. 
29, 1690, (1690-91.) At the latter date, he received twenty 
acres of upland and other lands, with the customary provision, 
that he build a house and comply with the conditions of the 
articles.* March 20, 1690-91, he joined the church in Far- 
mington, and is described as of Waterbury. Sept. 23, 1690, 
he was chosen brander of the town, he to keep a record of the 
horses branded. March 15, 1691, he had a division of upland, 
and Jan. 20, 1692, (1692-3,) a grant on Burnt Hill. May 17, 
1694, the town appointed him to stake out a grant to John 
Richards. 



* The provision in this and other cases is not always sufficient evidence that the requirements 
of the articles as to building, &o., had not already been complied with. It seems often to have 
been inserted as a kind of form, and as a matter of safety should any dispute arise. 



160 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

The above items, with the dates, I have given for the pur- 
pose of showing that Thomas Judd, the son of William, w^as a 
resident of Waterbury from the latter part of 1685 to May, 
1694, in something like " a steady w^ay." Why he was not 
a subscriber to Mr. Peck's £60 settlement in 1689-90, (as he 
ought to have been,) I am unable to say. That he was a pro- 
prietor daring all this time there seems no sufficient reason to 
doubt. This would appear from his name being entered in 
the list of proprietors of 1688, and from a record of seven par- 
cels of land made in Jan. 1G88-9, and Dec. 26, 1691, which 
lands were " granted him by the committee." The last par- 
cel, recorded under the last mentioned date, w^as " a hous lote 
of too acrs granted to his father as the aboue mentioned per- 
cels [the other six] were and after forfitur to him." At the 
last named date, too, he had a house lot of three quarters of 
an acre, on which his dwelling house stood, on the south side 
of West Main street, corner of Willow, butted north and east 
on a highway, south on the heirs of Benjamin Jones. 

Adopting the conclusion that Thomas Judd, the son of 
William, was made a proprietor before 1688, receiving his 
father's forfeited allotments, and that he had fulfilled the con- 
ditions of the articles and secured his right before the record 
of Dec. 26, 1691, I have been much perplexed with the fol- 
lowing entry, made in the Proprietors' Book by Thomas Judd, 
Jr., and then copied by the same hand into the first volume 
of Land Records : — 

Att a town meeting in mattatock february 25: 1695 the town granted to 
Thomas Judd soon of willyam judd y® a lot ment formei-ly granted to y^ aboue s** 
willyam Judd prouided he com and inhabit four yers in a settled or steady way 
from y« first of may next ensueing with the six acers granted for pastor excepted. 

However difficult to conceive it, I am persuaded there is a 
mistake in the date of this record. Were the considerations 
already offered insufficient to prove it, we might find in the 
record itself good ground for suspicion. Waterbury w^as 
never called Mattatuck after the town was incorporated in 
1686, unless by mistake ; and a mistake would not be likely 
to occur eight years after a change of name. Besides, there 
is no evidence that Judd had left town so that he could have 





JKtlly.J^^l.Oa'.W.Y. 



HISTORY OF ^VATERB[JRY. IGl 

been properly invited, in 1695, " to come and inhabit four 
years," ifec. I am persuaded, therefore, that the record quoted 
above should bear the date Feb. 25, 1685, (1685-6.) 

In the extract below, Thomas Judd, son of William, is first 
called deacon : — 

Att a town meeting in waterbury march: 27 1696 y* town gaue liberty to deac 
judd for y® enlarging of his shop to make use of six foots of y« highway at y* 
east end of his shop so long as he improue it for y' end 

According to his tombstone, he was the first deacon of the 
"Waterbury church. He was thirty-three years old in 1695, 
(the date of his probable appointment,) and the fact that he was 
selected at that early period of life for so responsible a posi- 
tion, with no associate in office for twenty-nine years, is a high 
tribute to the general good qualities of his head and heart. 

The merits of Dea. Judd seem to have been in a measure 
unknown until about the time he was made an ofiicer in the 
church. After that, and particularly after the death of Lieut. 
Judd, no other man in the town received such substantial evi- 
dence of the people's confidence and regard. He was many 
times townsman, school committee, rate-maker, &c. In Oct. 
1696, he was, for the first time, deputy to the General Court, 
being associated with Lieut. Judd. Afterwards he was often 
the associate, in the town's representation, of Lieut. Judd, 
Thomas Judd, Jr., or schoolmaster, Lieut. Timothy Stanley, 
Lieut. John Hopkins, Serg. Stephen Upson, and others, till 
1733. After Lieut. Judd's decease he was made a justice of 
the peace, which office he held by annual appointment till 
1729. During this time, he was the sole justice for Waterbury 
till 1725. He was one of the receivers appointed by the Gen- 
eral Court, in 1703, of funds collected for the Saybrook school. 
When the office of town clerk was made vacant by the re- 
moval of Thomas Judd, Jr., the deacon was chosen (April 26, 
1709) to fill the place. He filled it, in a very poor way, till 
Dec. 1712. Writing (to say nothing of spelling) w^as, with 
him, the gift (better say infliction) of nature. 

Dea. Thomas Judd was also a military man, and a very gal- 
lant one too, it is safe to say. He was made an ensign after 
Lieut. Judd's decease, in 1702-3, and held the place under 
Lieut. Timothy Stanley till 1715. He was then promoted and 
11 



162 



IIISTOKY OF WATEUBURY. 



became the first captain of the AVaterlmiy train-hand, the 
nnmber of sokliers having readied sixty -fonr, thns giving 
the town the right to a captain. 

Thomas Jndd, the smith, was so called on account of his trade. 
He branded horses and hammered iron, in a rough way, for the 
settlers. His " deal post" was a place for public advertise- 
ments. A record made by himself, 1709-10, says — "the 
decons deal porst is to be estemd a sine porst for sad town." 
He was usually called " smith," or the " son of William," till 
he became a deacon, and " deacon " till he was made a cap- 
tain, and " captain " the remainder of his life. Occasionally, 
after the death of Lieut. Judd, and particularly in legal docu- 
ments, he is termed " senior " or " smith," to distinguish him 
from his cousin of the same name. 

Capt. Judd, April 1, 1717, in consideration of lands at Great 
Swamp, conveyed to his only son William, his house and all 
his lands in Waterbury, except the divisions on the £100 
propriety he bought of Jones. After this, he appears to 
have lived with his son many years; but Oct. 19, 1736, he 
purchased for £185 of Samuel Camp the place which Camp 
bought of Capt. William Ilickox, six acres, with certain re- 
servations, where the house of C. B. Merriman now stands. 
Here Capt. Judd perhaps lived for a season ; but in 1739, he 
sold out to Eev. Mark Leavenworth, for £250. 

Thomas Judd was married, Feb. 9, 16S7-8, to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Stephen Freeman, first of Milford, then of Newark, 
]S . J. He died full of years and honors. Near the northwest 
corner of the old burying yard, a gravestone is standing on 
which nniy be read, with some difHculty, the following 
inscription : — 



Here [lies] 

the body of 

THOMAS JUDD, ESQ. 



f Justice 
< Deacon & 



the 

1^ Captain 

in "Waterbury, 

who died Jan'y 

y» 4th A. D. 1747 

aeed 79. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 1G3 

On tlie next stone close by, is anotlier inscription with tliese 
words : " Sarali Jiidd, wife of Deac. Thomas Judd, dyed Sept. 
8, 1738, in y« G'Jth year of her age." 

Tliere are two errors in Dea. Judd's inscription. He was 
not the first hut tlie second justice, his uncle, Lieut. Judd, 
being the first ; and he was several years older than is stated. 
He must have been about 85. The inventory of his estate 
amounted to £2,279, 10s. lOd., being nominally larger than 
that of any inhabitant of Waterbury who had died before him. 
The currency, however, at this period was much depreciated. 
The silver headed cane of Captain Judd is now in the posses- 
sion of his descendant, Mr. Sylvester Judd of Northampton. 

Children : 

1. William; b. May 7, 1689; bap. in J'armington, April 5, 1601, and m. Jan. 
21, 1712-13, Mary, d. of Stephen Root of Fartnington, where he settled, at the 
Great Swamp, so called, (Kensington, now Berlin.) About 171.5, he returned to 
Waterbury, was made a £40 proprietor, and received a special grant out of the 
common lands, "he to fence for it." His father deeded to him, in 1717, his 
house and homestead, on the corner of Willow street, now occupied by John S. 
Kingsbury, where they both lived for many years. In 1735, however, April 12th, 
the son, in the way of exchange, conveyed all " his lands and buildings in the 
stated line of the common fence," (the place where he lived being included,) to 
Ebenezer Bronson, and removed to Westbury, where he d. Jan. 29, 1772. His 
farm lay in the southwest corner of the society, its southern border forming the 
boundary line. His first wife d. Dec. 11, 1751, having had nine children. He 
then married Widow Hope Lee, who survived him. Estate £579, 10s. 

William Judd, after his return from Farmington, soon became more or less of a 
public man, and repeatedly occupied posts of honor and responsibility. He was 
constable in 1718, 1719 and 1728; townsman in 1722, 1723 and afterwards; 
school committee in 1730 ; deputy in 1729, 1730, 1731, 1736 and 1739 ; moderator 
of town meeting, 1738-9 and 1753, &c. After the decease of John Judd, in 1717, 
he was chosen town clerk, and continued to discharge the duties of the office till 
Dec. 1721, when Mr. Southmayd was appointed. He wa.s, so far as appears, a 
competent and acceptable clerk. His penmanship is a great improvement on that 
of his immediate predecessors. In 1730, he reached the goal of military ambition 
and became a captain. 

2. Martha; b. Sept. 11, 1692; ra. 1714, Thomas Cowlcs of Farmington, and d. 
1768. 

3. Rachel; b. Nov. 13, 1694; m. Thomas Upson, son of Stephen, and d. July 
19, 1750. 

4. Sarah ; b. April 23, 1697 ; d. Nov. 3, 1725 or 1726. 

5. Hannah ; b. July 2, 1699, and d. "March 12, 1713." 

6. Mary ; b. Jan 30, 1701 ; m. Timothy Hopkins. • 

7. Elizabeth; b. July 23, 1704; m. John Upson, son of Stephen. 



164 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

8. Ruth ; b. May 9, 1707; m. April 26, 1727, James Smith of Farmington, and 
d. 1786. 

9. Stephen; b. Nov. 30, 1709, and d. June 25, 1715. 

THOMAS JUDD, Jr. 

He was the son of Lieut. Thomas Judd, and was accepted 
by the committee as a proprietor, at the desire of his father, 
Jan. 10, 1683, (1683-4,) with £100 right. His name is rarely 
mentioned for several years, except as the grantee of certain 
lands. It is found, however, among the proprietors of 16S8, 
and the subscribers to Mr. Peck's settlement, in 1 689. He was 
John Stanley's successor as register or town clerk,* being 
appointed June 4, 1696 — a compliment to his penmanship, as 
well as his general respectability. He retained the ofhce till his 
removal from the town. He was, I imagine, in his mature 
years, the literary oracle of the settlement. He wrote a very 
good, business-like hand, which, with some practice, is read 
with little difficulty. He was townsman in 1698, 1T03 and 
1Y04; town treasurer in 1699 and 1700, and constable in ITOO.f 
After the death of his father, he represented the town in the 
General Assembly, first in Oct. 1704, and then in the three 
succeeding October sessions. In these instances, with one 
exception, his name is entered as Thomas Judd, Jr., to distin- 
guish him from his colleague, Thomas Judd, the son of Wil- 
liam, he being, I suppose, a little younger than his cousin. 

I suppose — but cannot prove it — that Thomas Judd, Jr., was 
the schoolmaster of Waterbury — that he taught, or tried to 
teach, the juveniles of the village, intellectual archery. I 
suppose so from the fact that he calls himself schoolmaster, in 
certain deeds, very soon after his removal from Waterbury, 
where he had spent his whole previous adult life. But his 
teachings could have been but moderately successful. The 
urchin archers of his day were not all apt scholars, idea-shoot- 
ing being a rather dull business, judging from their literary 
accomplishments when grown to manhood. 

Thomas Judd, Jr., lived on "West Main street, on the south 



♦ The town clerk was always proprietors' clerk until a comparatirely recent period. 
+ The town officers were appointed in December for the ensuing year ; and when I speak of 
the time that a person held an office, I generally refer to the date of his appointment. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 165 

side, liis being the foiirtli lot cast from tlie corner of "Willow 
street. It contained two acres, and butted, Nov. 1687, north 
and south on higliway, east on Edmund Scott, Jr's land, west 
on John Welton's land. Pie sold the place, April 1, 1701, to 

1 the same boundaries, Oct. 
for a mare and colt and 
£5, 12s." After his father's decease, in 1702-3, he became the 
owner and occupant of the old homestead, recorded, in June, 
1705, as containing five acres, east on Obadiah Richard's house 
lot, west on the heirs of John Bronson, deceased, <fec. He 
appears to have been one of the most respectable men of the 
toMai ; but after having battled with adversity for twenty-five 
years, he turned his back upon his friends and quit the settle- 
ment. He removed in the early part of 1709, (N. S.,) and 
settled first in Farmington, (where he lived in 1712,) and then 
in Hartford, (in the part called West Hartford,) residing near 
the boundary line. 

The wife of Thomas Judd, Jr., was Sarah, daughter of 
Joseph Gaylord, Sen. They were married April 11, 1688, by 
Mr. Zachariah Walker, Sen., of Woodbury. He joined the 
church of Farmington, July 20, 1690, where he had two 
children, Thomas and Sarah, baptized Oct. 12, 1690. He died 
Aug. 21, 1721. His wife was dead in Feb. 1721-25. 

Children : 

1. Thomas ; b. March 28, 1690 and m. Hepzibah Williams. 

2. Joseph ; [ j d. an infant. 

3. Sarah ; ) '^- ^^^^- ^' ^^^^' i m. James AVilliams. 

4. Elizabeth ; b. Oct. 18, 1695, and m. Joshua How. 

5. Joanna ; b. Sept. 12, 1698 ; m. William Scott, and died Jan. 25, 1771. 

6. Joseph; b. April 21, IVOI. In 1726, he bought a house and lands of Oba- 
diah Scott in Waterburj, on Buckshill, where he settled. 

7. Ebenezer ; b. March 3, 1702-3 ; lived in West Hartford, and d. 1734. 

8. Mary; b. April 2, 1706 ; m. Samuel Moss and was living with her husband 
in Wallingford, in 1737. 

9. Rachel; b. Oct. 4, 1708 ; unmarried in 1738. 

10. Abagail; b. 1712, and m. Joseph Hall. 

JOSEPH LEW^IS. 

He and a brother John were sons of Joseph Lewis of 
Windsor and Simsbury, who died in 1706. He was the first 
man, an outsider and not an original proprietor, (if we except 



16G HISTORY OF WATERBDEY. 

Mr. Peck's sons,) that joined the settlement of Waterbniy. 
At what precise time he came I have no means of knowing. 
His name is first mentioned on the Town Book, Dec. 23, 1700, 
at which date he was appointed one of the fence viewers. 
Had he been in the town much earlier than 1700, I think I 
should have discovered some traces of him. At what period 
he was made a bachelor proprietor is not clear. With the 
exception of Thomas Clark, he was the only one of this class 
of proi^rietors who was not either a son or grandson of an 
original j)i*opi"ietor. He settled at Judd's Meadow, on the 
west side of the river, where he owned, from an early date, 
much land, obtained by division and by purchase. The first 
reference made to his house was in Dec. 1714. He had doubt- 
less then been several years in that part of the town. His 
sons took up their residences near him. To Joseph, he gave, 
in 1728, soon after marriage, a house and lands near the Straits 
Mountain, valuing them to him at £150. To John he gave, 
in 1736, under similar circumstances, sixty acres of land with 
a house, estimating them " at £120 portion." 

Joseph Lewis was one of the respected and substantial men 
of the town. He was a cloth weaver by trade, and one of a 
committee to settle the bounds of Woodbury, as early as 1706. 
He was appointed to a similar duty in 1719, and again in 1730. 
He was town treasurer in 1711, and many years selectman. 
He was the town's deputy at the General Court for fifteen 
sessions between 1713 and 1741. In 1724, he was called sar- 
geant, and early in 1738, was chosen the fourth deacon of the 
church, Dea. Judd being now advanced in life. In his will 
he gave to the church (in his own language) " twenty six 
pounds money due to me by Mr. Mark Leavenworth by note 
of hand, which I give to y^ first church of Christ in Water- 
bury (now under the pastoral charge of y® sd Mr. Leaven- 
worth) to be to y^ use and benefit of sd church for ever." His 
estate was larger nominally than that of any deceased person 
of Waterbury which had previously been inventoried. It 
amounted to £5,628, 12s. 6d., when wheat sold at 85 shillings 
or so per bushel. 

Joseph Lewis died in the fatal year of 1749, (Nov. 29.) 
His son Joseph, and his eldest son John's wife, died but a few 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 167 

weeks before liim. His widow Sarah (Andrnss) died Marcli 
5, 1773. His son Samuel was a deacon of the Waterbury 
church, and afterwards the first deacon of the church in Salem, 
(Naugatuck.) Another son, Thomas, appears to have gradu- 
ated at Yale College in 1741, being a classmate of Samuel 
Hopkins, Jonathan Judd and Daniel Southmayd, all from 
Waterbury, the four making a fifth part of the graduating class. 
He became a cons;re2:ational minister. 



CHAPTER XIL 



PERSONAL NOTICES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS, CONTINUED. 
NEWELL. 

Thomas ISTewell, (Sen.,) was one of the original settlers of 
Farmington, a member of the church, a freeman in 1669, 
and one of the eighty-four proprietors of 1672. He married 
Rebecca, a niece of John Olmsted, and died Sept. 13, 1689, 
leaving an estate of £700. His Avidow died Feb. 24, 1697-8. 

Children : 

1. Rebecca; b. Jan. 1643, and m. Joseph or Josiali Wood- 
ford. 2. Mary; b. March, 1645, and m. March 20, 1667, 
Thomas Bascomb of Northampton. 3. John ; b. Jan. 1647. 
4. Thomas; b. March, 1650. 5. Hester; b. July, 1652, m. 
John Stanley of Waterbury. 6. Sarah ; bap. Feb. 18, 1655, 
and m. " Arter " Smith. 7. Hannah, or Martha ; bap. April 
14, 1658, and m. Thomas North. 8. Samuel ; bap. Dec. 5, 
1660; m. Dec. 20, 1683, Mary Hart. 9. Joseph; bap. April 
20, 1664, and d. 1689, unmarried. 

Thomas Newell, Sen., was one of a preliminary committee 
who went to view Mattatuck, and one of the petitioners for 
" liberty of planting y'^ same," 1673. He afterwards signed 



IGS niSTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

tlie articles, taking the place of Samuel Gritllcy, but declined 
to join tlie new settlement. 

JOHN NEWELL. 
He (or his father for him) seems to have been one of the 
original subscribers of 1674, the name being written " Thomas 
ISTewell, son, £100." He was one of the earliest settlers, be- 
ing on all the fence-division lists. He had a house and house 
lot on North Main street, next to Isaac Bronson, recorded, 
July 11, 1692, as live acres of land, nortli on John Stanley 
and Benjamin Barnes, east on common land, south on Isaac 
Bronson, west on liighway. ]N"ewell's hill, a part of his home- 
stead, was named after him. If he did anything worthy to 
be remembered, history has taken no note of it. As early as 
Aug., 1694, he had removed to Farmington. lie had con- 
veyed, in the preceding March, his house and homestead, (then 
bounded north on Ricliard Porter and Benjamin Barnes,) to 
Isaac Bronson. He died in 1G96, without a family, his broth- 
ers, Thomas and Samuel, being administrators. 

THOMAS NEWELL, (Ju.) 

He seems to have taken the right of £90 which his father 
subscribed for, and which was at first Thomas Gridley's, He 
did not, apparently, go to Waterbury as early as his brother. 
His name is not mentioned in the first fence-division, but it is 
in the three others. He was among those whose rights were 
declared forfeited in 1682-3, but he " submitted " and regain- 
ed his pi'opriety. His house was on tlie north side of West 
Main street, next east of Thomas Ilancox. After Hancox left, 
he bought his lot (with the house) of Lieut. Judd, and added 
it to his own lot of one and three quarter acres, making in the 
whole three and a half acres. This is described Jan. 6, 1690, 
(1690-91,) as bounded east on John Bronson and west on John 
Warner, {Thomas Porter, son of Eobert, is written over John 
Warner.) 

Thomas Newell subscribed to Mr. Peck's settlement in 1689. 
Soon after, he followed the bad example set by Joseph Ilickox, 
Thomas Ilancox and Benjamin Jones, and left the town. He 
was in Farnnngton Nov. 6, 1690, where I hope he made him- 
self useful. He sold his homestead, March 2d, 1692-3, to 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 169 

Thomas Ricliason for £60. Afterwards, Isaac Broiison bought 
his right in the undivided hinds. 

He married ^ov. 5, 1679, Elizabeth Wrothern, and died 
Oct. 25, 1723. His widow died Jan. 8, 1739-40. The births 
of the chikh-en, except Susanna, are recorded in Fannington. 

Children : 

1. Thomas ; b. Oct. 1, 1081. He had no fomily. 

2. Simon; b. April 1, and baptized June 1, 1G83 ; m. Meliitable Bird and 
Mary Wallis. 

3. Susanna ; bap. April 24, 168Y, and d. Sept. 24, 1704. 

4. Joseph ; b. Nov. 1, 1689. He lived in Southington. 

5. Elizabeth ; b. Nov. 20, 1093. She m. Jonathan Lewis. 

6. Sarah; b. Jan. 1, 1698. 

7. Esther ; b. Sept. 12, 1705. 

Rev. JEREMIAH PECK. 

He was a son of Dea, William Peck, one of the company 
that made the first settlement in I^ew Haven, in 1638, and 
one of those who signed the fundamental articles in 1639. 
Dea. Peck was chosen deacon in 1659, and w\^s one of the trus- 
tees of the Grammar School for many years, and died, leaving 
a small property, in Lyme, Oct. 4, 1694, aged 93. In his 
will, dated March 9, 1688-9, he names as his, the following 
children : 

1. Jeremiah. He was born in London or its neighborhood. 
2. Joseph. He was baptized in ISTew Haven, Jan. 17, 1641 ; 
settled in Saybrook and afterwards in Lyme. 3. John. He 
m. Nov. 3, 1664, Mary Moss, and had fonr children, born in 
ISTew Haven. He removed to "VVallingford. 4. Elizabeth. She 
m. Samuel Andrews, and api)ears to have had five children 
born in New Haven. 

Of the Rev. Jeremiah Peck, the first minister of "Water- 
bury, I shall give a more detailed account hereafter. His 
house and house lot, given him by the town, were on the north- 
east corner of West Main street, the lot being bounded, Feb., 
1693-4, easterly on David and Robert Scott, east on Edmund 
Scott, north, south and west on highways. 

Mr. Peck's will, (which is a gift-deed,) bearing date " Jan. 
14, 1696," is a document of some interest. It is recorded in 
the first volume of the Waterbury Land Records, page 6. It 
enumerates the books which seem to have constituted his 



170 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

libraiy. They are sixteen in number, all of them of a relig- 
ions character. His house and house lot he gave to his 
son Jeremiah. His other lands, divided and undivided, in 
Waterbury, and his husbandry implements, he gave to Jer- 
emiah and Joshua, they to j^rovide for him and his wife, " in 
sickness and health, both cloaths, food and lisick," during 
life. 

The widow of Mr. Peck lived several years after his decease. 
I find her will recorded in the first volume of Land Records, 
bearing date Oct. Tth, 1706. It reads thus : 

I Joanna Peck y« relict of Mr. Jeremiah Peck give [«&c.] to my daughter anna 
yo bigest puter platter a winscort cubard and here choys of too more platters [&] 
ye great table ; and to annas daughter y« draw box and a too yer old hefer — i 
giue to Jeremiahs daughter y* brass pan only they are not now to com to y® pos- 
esion of it till after my death [&c.] 

The remainder of her estate she gave to Jeremiah and 
Joshua. She was still living in Waterbury, Jan. 23, 1711 . 
Children : 

1. Samuel; b. Jan. 18, 1658-9, at Guilford and settled in Greenwich. He was 
a justice of the peace and a prominent man of that town, and d. April 28, 1746. 
He is said to have had twelve children. 

2. Ruth ; b. in New Haven, April 3, 1661 ; m. Jonathan Atwater, of New Ha- 
ven, " merchant tailor," June 1, 1681, and had ten children. 

3. Caleb. He proposed to settle in Waterbury with his father, and had a grant 
of a house lot and other lands, provided he did so ; but he finally concluded to 
remain in Greenwich. 

4. Anna; m. 1690, Thomas Stanley, son of Capt. John of Farniington. 

5. Jeremiah. He was a freeholder in Greenwich in May, 1689, and came to 
Waterbury with his father. He had a house lot on Willow street, next to Benja- 
min Jones' home lot, and other lands, granted him on the usual conditions. Half 
of the school lot or propriety, it appears, was also given to him. In Aug. 1*709, he 
purchased for £20 Israel Richason's house and home lot, on the corner of East 
Main and Cherry streets, but whether he ever lived in the house, I know not. He 
removed into the north part of the town a little before the Northbury society was 
organized. 

Jeremiah Peck was collector of town rates in 1*703 ; constable in 1713, 17l7 
and 1723, and a deputy to the General Court in May, 1720 and 1721. He was 
one of the two first deacons of tlie Northbury church, appointed 1739. His wife 
was Rachel, the d. of Obadiah Richards, to whom he was m. June 14, 1704. He 
d. 1752, having had nine children, — Johanna, Jeremiah, Rachel, Anna, Mary, 
Phebe, Ruth, Esther, Martha. All except Esther survived their father. The 
mother had previously died. Dea. Peck's inventory amounted to £3,702, 12s. 6d. 

6. Joshua. He was the youngest son. Nothing was said about him at the 



HISTOEY OF WATEKEUKY. l7l 

time his father settled in Waterbury, when his brothers were provided for ; for 
the reason, it is presumed, thathe was then a minor. "March 28, 1694-5," [a mis- 
take probably for 1695, J he, for the first time, had a grant from the proprietors of 
four acres, for " a home lot where he can find it between this and the last of April 
next, he to build," &c. 

Joshua Peck is rarely named and does not seem to have been of " much ac- 
count," as the world goes. He may have been sickly or weakly. He conveyed to 
his brother Jeremiah, March 6, 1728-9, all his "right, title, interest or demands 
in lands or propriety in Waterbury whether divided or undivided," in considera- 
tion of which, he, the said Jeremiah, or his heirs, was, in the words of the rec- 
ord, " to take care of me and find and provide for me good and sufficient meat, 
drink, apparel, washing and lodging, and take care of me both in sickness and in 
health, so long as I live with him." He died J'eb. 14, 1735-6, unmarried. 

PORTER. 

Daniel Porter, 1st, was early in the Colony. In March, 
164-1-5, he was fined, by the " P^ticuler Court," forty shillings 
for an offense against the rights of property. He was licensed 
to practice physic and chirurgery, in 1654, by the General 
Court. In 1661-2, it was ordered that his yearly salary should 
be paid out of the public treasury, while his fee-table was es- 
tablished by law. Though not an original proprietor, he set- 
tled early in Farmington, and was required to attend upon the 
sick in Hartford, Windsor, Wethersfield, and occasionally in 
Middletown. In 1668, he was " freed from watching, wardeing • 
and tryneinge," and in the next year had a special grant from 
the Court for his services.* He was more particularly celebrated 
as a " bonesetter," and in 1671 his salaiy was increased thus : 

For the incouragement of Daniel Porter in atending the seruice of the country 
in setting bones, &c., the Court doe hereby augment his sallery from six pounds a 
yeare to twelue pounds p' annum, and doe aduise him to instruct some meet person 
in his arte. 

Daniel Porter's name is not on the list of the freemen of 
Farmington in 1669, but is found among the proprietors of 
1672. He died in 1690. His wife's name was Mary. Their 
children were : 1. Daniel; b. Feb. 2, 1652-3. 2. Mary ; b. 
Feb. 5, 1654-5, and m. Eleazer Knowles of Woodbury, 3. 
ITeheiniali ; b, Oct, 24, 1656 ; m, Hannah Lum of Woodbury, 

* This was a grant of 100 acres wliich the grantee took up near the northwest corner of Wal- 
lingford. It, however, proved not to be colony land, as supposed, and the Assembly granted, in 
1728, on petition, to the grandsons of Daniel Porter, (Daniel Porter, son of Daniel of Waterbury, 
and Hezekiah Porter of Woodbury, son of Richard of New Haven,) 100 acres west of Ilousatonic 
or Stratford River. [Towns and Lands.] 



172 HISTORY OF AVATEKBUKY. 

and d. 1722. 4. Kicliard ; b. March 24, 1658. 5. Anne ; b. 
1660-61; not married. 6. John; b. Kov. 14, 1662; m. Ee- 
becca Woodford and Martha North, and d. 1740. T. Sanmel ; 
b. Oct. 24, 1665 ; m. Abigail Humphreys of Simsbnry, and d. 
March 25, 1736. He was a doctor, and succeeded to his 
father's business in Farmington. 

DANIEL PORTER, (Jr.) 

He signed the articles, (or his father did for him — " Daniel 
Porter for son,") in 1674. He had an old town plot lot and 
a meadow allotment in the beginning of the settlement, and a 
proportion of fence in all the divisions. His name is never 
mentioned on the earliest records, except as grantee or propri- 
etor. Ko reference whatever is made to his occupation till 
Feb. 22, 1696-Y, when he is called, in a deed, " bonesetter." 
After this he is termed, in the record. Doctor Porter. He 
maj not have taken up the business of his father till after the 
death of the latter. His knowledge appears to have been 
empyrical, rather than scientific. There were but few educa- 
ted surgeons or physicians in the country, at that day. Cler- 
gymen not infrequently practiced the healing art. 

Dr. Porter had but little to do with the town business. He 
was town surveyor, however, in 1699 and 1719, and school 
committee in 1706. He had a house lot on the main street 
near the center of the village, where the Scovill House now 
stands, extending through to Grand street, containing about 
two acres. Adjoining lots are bounded on it, in 1687, but it 
is not then called a " house lot," acording to the. custom. It 
does not seem to have been recorded at all. Jan. 6, 16P6, the 
town granted him a piece of land, &c., " provided he build a 
tenantable hous Avithin thre yeirs." This language by no 
means proves that he had not already built a house, (or bought 
one,) as the articles required ; nor indeed is it evidence that he 
did not own one at the time. Soon after he had taken a wife, 
his lot is called a house lot. It was bounded, in 1687, north 
and south on highway, west on Timothy Standley's house lot, 
east on Abraham Andruss, Jr's house lot. In March, 1707-8, 
he enlarged it by purchasing of Abraham Andruss, son of 
Abraham, deed., the place next his on the east, the considera- 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 173 

tion being £20 cash. After Porter's death, his son Thomas 
bought of the other heirs the whole property, four and a half 
acres, " excepting twenty foot sqnare on the east side, joining 
the highway, to build a small house npon," which his brother 
James reserved for himself. 

Daniel Porter's death took place Jan. 18, 1726-7. His 
whole estate was appraised at about £1,265 ; his house and 
home lot at £190 ; his propriety right at £-15 ; five cows at £20. 
His medical library consisted of " a bone set book, 2s." Much 
of his property he liad given away to his children during his 
life-time. He left a widow, Deborah. She d. May 1-1, 1765. 

Children : 

1. Daniel; b. March 5, 1699; mar. Hannah, d. of John Hopkins, and d. Nov. 
14, 1772. He was a bachelor proprietor and " bonesetter," and succeeded to his 
father's business and skill. July 5, 1725, his father conveyed to him, his eldest 
son, " that he may have couveniency of building and a house lot in the town, 
seven and a half acres at the east end of the town, north and east on highway, 
south on Mill River, west on bounds made by John Scovill, Sen., and Cap. 
Ephraim Warner," in 1770. This is the lot which lies between East Main street. 
Mill street, and the Mad River, on the northwest corner of which Porter built a 
house and lived. 

2. James ; b. April 20, 1700. He too was a doctor, settled at Hop Swamp, and 
d. March 20, 1785. 

3. Thomas; b. April 1, 1702. He lived on the east side of Bank street, near 
the Baptist church, and late in life removed to Salem. He died in Jan. 1797- 
He was frequently selectman, and became a captain. 

4. Deborah ; b. March 6, 1703-4 ; m. James Baldwin. 

5. Ebenezer; b. Dec. 24, 1708 ; m. Mary, d. of John Hull of New Haven. 

6. Ann; b. April 28, 1712; m. Thomas Judd and James Nichols. 

RICHARD PORTER. 

He was not a proprietor of Waterbury sufficiently early to 
have one of the old town plot lots, or an allotment of either of 
the four first divisions of fence. He was accepted by the 
grand committee, probably in 168-1, having one of the 
smallest rights, (£50.) I do not find his name mentioned till 
1686. In May, 1688, he had liberty to record his lands, hav- 
ing then, I suppose, complied with the conditions of a sub- 
scriber and proprietor. He had two acres "for a house lot," 
within the south meadow gate on the corner near the present 
corner of Bank and Meadow street, bounded, Dec. 1691, west, 
south and east on highway, north on Jonathan Scott. After- 



174 HISTORY OF WATEGBURY. 

wards, March 18, 1694-5, lie bought of the widow of Abraham 
Andruss, Jr., for £26, a house and lot of three acres next ad- 
joinmg him on the north, "lying at y® south east corner of 
y^ town," east and west on highway, north on S-tephen Upson 
and south on said Porter. 

Kichard Porter seems to have been a quiet man, having but 
little to do with public business. He was, however, surveyor 
in 1703 and 1704, town collector in 1706, school committee 
in 1709 and selectman in 1713. In 1712, he was chosen "to 
dig the graves;" and a hard time he must have had, for the 
great sickness was in the town. Afterwards, he removed from 
the place, for what reason, it does not appear. He staid, how- 
ever, through the dark days of the settlement. After Dec. 
1716, when he was chosen hay ward, his name does not appear in 
the Waterbury records as an inhabitant. In Nov. 1718, he 
was in ISTew Haven in the part called West Haven. He d. in 
1739-40. His will, dated Nov. 13, 1738, was approved Feb. 
1739-40, his son Ilezekiah being executor. In it he speaks of 
himself as "being weak of body by reason of age," alhides 
to his wife, to whom he gives his house, homestead and mova- 
bles, and to the heirs of Daniel of Simsbury and Samuel of 
"Waterbnry, who had received their portions. His land and 
rights of land inWaterbury were to be divided equally among 
his other children, except John was to have " a double part he 
not being able to shift for himself so well as the others." 
Estate in New Haven £154; in Waterbury £199. Debts 
£28, 18s. 

Richard Porter is called Doctor Porter on the probate 
record of New Haven, but never in Waterbury. Probably 
he took up the business of " doctoring " after his removal. His 
first wife, named Ruth, d. in Waterbury, Jan. 9, 1709-10. 

Children : 

1. Daniel; b. before his father came to Waterbury. He was admitted a 
bachelor proprietor Jan. 5, 1707-8, and remained in Waterbury several years 
afterwards ; but he finally removed without having complied with the conditions 
of the grant and settled in Simsbury, where he had a family. ( A son, Joshua, 
settled in "Waterbury.) He was a doctor and d. before his father. 

2. Joshua; b. Aug. 7, 1688, in Waterbury, and d. Nov. 19, 1709. 

3. Mary ; b. Jan. 14, 1690-91, and was living as Mary Northrop, at the time of 
her father's death. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 175 

4. Ruth ; b. Oct. 1692, and was living as Ruth Cosset at her father's decease. 

6. Samuel; b. March 30, 1695; m. Mary, d. of John Bronson, May 9, 1722. 
lie was a bachelor proprietor, admitted in 1715. In Dec. 1722, his father deeded 
to him a part of his house lot in AVaterbury, three acres, being the southeast part 
of the old homestead, southward and eastward on highway, northward on parson- 
age land, westward on the grantor's land. He d. 1727-8. 

6. Hezekiah; b. Jan. 29, 1696-7, and d. Aug. 1702. 

7. John; b. June 11, 1700; was living with Dea. Clark in 1730. 

8. Timothy; b. Dec. 21, 1701 ; m. Mary, d. of Jonathan Baldwin, of Water- 
bury, Dec. 18, 1735, and Hannah Winter, Aug. 27, 1767. He had a house in the 
southwest quarter in 1754. In 1732, he lived in Stratford. 

9. Hezekiah ; b. July 27, 1704. He was living in Woodbury in 1728, and in 
Waterbury when his father died. 

10. Joshua; b. Nov. 5, 1718, his birth being recorded in New Haven. 

11. Richard ; b. Aug. 22, 1722. 

12. Lydia ; was living as Lydia Pardee of New Haven, at her father's decease. 

ROBERT PORTER. 

He was a first settler but not an original proprietor of Far- 
mington. It is not known what relation, if any, lie was to 
Daniel and Thomas Porter, also of F. He joined the church 
Oct. 13, 1652, was one of the freemen of 1G69, and of the 
eighty-four proprietors of 1672. lie first subscribed the 
articles for the settlement of Mattatuck, as late as May 26, 
1684. His name is on the list of j^roprietors of 1688, and it 
stands first among the subscribers to Mr. Peck's settlement. 
He had a house and house lot on the north side of West Main 
street, one acre and a half, bounded, Feb. 1687-8, "northerly 
and southerly on high-way, easterly on Thomas Hancox his 
land belonging to Ensign Judd, west on John Warner his 
land." This property his son Thomas sold, Jan. 1692-3, to 
Aliraham Andruss, Jr. 

Robert Porter m. 1614, Mary, d. of Thomas Scott of Hartford. 

Children : 

1. Mary; b. Feb. 24, 1646, and m. Benjamin Andruss. 

2. John; b. Nov. 12, 1648, and d. before 1686. 

3. Thomas; b. Oct. 29, 1650; m. May, 1678, Abagail Cowles, and d. 1719. He 
was executor of his father's will, and the only surviving son and principal heir. 
He was a tailor by trade, lived in Farmington, and d. in 1719. 

4. Robert; b. Nov. 12, 1652, and d. 1689. 

5. Elizabeth; b. Jan. 11, 1653-4, and m. Thomas Andrews of Milford. 

6. Joanna; baptized Jan. 6, 1655-6. 

7. Sarah; b. Dec 20, 1657, and m. Abraham Andruss (cooper) of Waterbury, 
and James Benedict of Danbury. 



176 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

8. Benjamin; b. March 18, 1G59-60, and d. 1689, leaving his widow pregnant. 
She m. June, 1689, Edmund Scott, Jr.* 

9. Hannah, or Anne ; b. April, 1664, and m. John Browne. 

10. Hcpzibah; b. March 4, 1666. 

Eobert Porter married (after 16T5) for his second wife, 
Hannah, the widow of Stephen Freeman of Newark, (East 
Jersey,) and the mother of the wife of Thomas Jndd, smith. 
He died in 1 689. The inventory of his estate was taken Sept. 
18, 1689,t and amounted to £179, 14s. in Waterbnry, and 
£79, 6s. in Farmington. The children named are Thomas, 
Mary, Ehzabeth, Sarah, Hannah. 

OBADIAH RICHARDS. 

Tliomas Kicharcls, the father of Obadiahof Waterbnry, was 
early in Hartford. He was one of those who, in 1639, had the 
privilege of getting wood and keeping cows on the common. 
He soon died, however, and his lands went into the possession 
of his widow, who brought up the children. At her death, in 
1671, the estate went to the chiklren, — John, (born in 1631, 
and married Lydia Stocking,) Mary Peck, (of Milford,) Thom- 
as, (married Mary, daughter of Dea. Parsons of Springfield, 
1691,) and Obadiah. A son, Samuel, died before his mother. 

Obadiah Richards was an early but not a first settler of 
Farmington. He was " presented for freeman" to the Court, 
May, 1669 ; was one of the proprietors of 1672 ; took an ear- 
ly interest in the Mattatuck enterprise ; was one of the origi- 
nal thirty, &c. There is evidence that he joined the settle- 
ment early, in the fact that he had an old town plot lot and a 



* " A paper whith EdmanScote cased to be entred [on record]— the contents now follow— 
F; Know all men whom itt may concerne that I Robert Porter : of watterbury haue formerly 
giuen to my sonn: benjamin: thre parsells of land folowing which being now desesed 
[deceased] my desire is that if itt pleas god to giue him an heire: that the lands herafter: men- 
tioned: may fall to It but as i desire the lord may requite the wife of my sonn desesed: so 
these are to declare that i doo sequester: the right to the: use of the lands following to the wife 
of my son aboue said desed during her natural! life: vis [viz :] — [liere are enumerated seven 
piece; of land, twenty four acres in all] — all which parsells of land as they ly my dafter 
[liaughter] aboue said shall and may quiatlj' pesably ocupy poses and injoy [Ac.,] my hand 
and scale this 19 feb 1639 

Robert porter 

t There are discrepancies as to dates which I am unable now to reconcile. His gift deed re- 
lating to his son Benjamin's widow bears date Feb. 19, 16S9, which, in new style, should read 
Feb. 19, 1690 ; and yet, the said widow is stated on the record to liave man-ied Edmund Scott 
"sometime in June 16S9." 




ENCPAVED £y SAMUEL 3ART£IN PWlMJELriU/i ^ 



^rTn^z^ /J^r^c-e^y^ 



\j:!i/v./>»Mni 



HISTORY OF WATERBCRT. 177 

proportion of fence in all the divisions. But he had a tardy, 
slip-shod wav of doing things ; and when the crisis came, it 
was found that he had not rendered a full compliance with the 
conditions of the articles, and his allotments were condemned 
in 1682-3. He mended his ways, however, and his rights 
were restored. As a grantee, I do not find his name earlier 
than 1685. 

Obadiah Kichards appears to have been one of the rank and 
file of the young town — an excellent man, it is safe to say. 
He had a house and home lot on the north side of West Main 
street, next west of Philip Judd's. The lot (" his by purchase 
as a planter ") contained three acres, and was the first (going 
from east to west) which ran through to the back street. It 
was bounded, Jan. 1703-4, west on Thomas Judd's house lot, 
east on a house lot belonging to the heirs of Philip Judd, 
deceased. 

Both Richards and his wife Hannah were members of Mr. 
Hooker's church of Farmington. After lingering for some 
time in poor health, he died !N"ov. 11, 1702. His inventory 
amounted to £138. (His widow died about May, 1725.) A 
year before his decease, he disposed of much of his estate by 
the following writing,' which is recorded in "Vol. I, Land 
Records, p. 102 : 

This wrighting made y* seuenteenth of may one thousan seuen hundred 
and one witnesseth y* I obadiah Richards sen"" [&c.] for good and lawfull resins 
do giue, [&c.] unto my well beloued children as followeth first hauing a pece of 
upland situated in a^ waterbury lying norwest from woster swamp by estimation 
fifteen acers butting on euery sd on common lands and I being by sickness layd 
by not able to labour and sd lands of no benefit without great chorg [charge] be- 
stoed on it and for y* incuragment of my too soons John and Obediah to build on 
and breck up sd lands y' I and my wife haue som Releife by it do by this giue y« 
one half of sd land, to my soon John and y^ other half to obadiah & to obadiah 
my part of sd buildings y' sd John and obadiah haue begun on these conditions not 
to com to full posession of it till after my death and after y* to alow my wife 
four bushills of grain by y« yeir such as y« land produces if they improue it and 
my soons John and obadiah to haue sd lands and buildings after my deceas as their 
own free estate [&c.] 2ly to my soons Thomas and ben^in Richards my three 
acer lot y' lyes northward from y« town within y^ com"~on fenc on y* same con- 
ditions y' John and obadiah has theirs [&c.] furder I sd obadiah Richards sen' to 
my eldest soon John my a lot ment att bucks meadow [&c.] for euer to be acount- 
ed to him and his acknowledgment as my eldest soon and after in other distributions 
to be but equall with y® rest of my children — y« obligation of John and obadiah 

12 



178 HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 

to my wife if i dy before her is duriug her •nidowhood and thomas and benjamin 
is free from paying any obligation to my wife for y^ lot i haue here giucn y"" as 
witness my hand and sealle 

Obadiah Richards Sen"' 

Children : 

1. John; b. 16(5*7. 

2. Mary ; b. Jan., 1669, m. George Scott. 

3. Hannah; b. Xov. 1671, m. John Scovill, ('2d.) 

4. Esther; b. June, 16'73, m. Ephraim Warner. 

5. Elizabeth; b. July, 1675, m. John Richards, son of Thomas. 

6. Sarah ; b. April, 1677, m. David Scott. 

7. Obadiah ; b. Oct. 1, 1679. He was bap. in Farmington, March U, 1679-80, at 
the same time with his sisters, Mary, Hannah, Esther, Elizabeth, Sarah. He was a 
£40 proprietor, admitted, Dec. 1700 ; one of the committee that settled the bounds 
with Derby in April, 1703, and a fence viewer the same year. Soon after, Avhen his 
rights had been made sure, and thick gloom was settling over the planters of Wa- 
terbury, he made his escape, and was next heard of in Lyme. There he died 
about 1707. In 1720, his administrators, Jabez and Sarah Watrous, sold out his 
lands, rights, &c., in Waterbury, to Joseph Lathrop of Norwich for £30. 

8. Rachel; b. May 6, 1683, m. Jeremiah Peck, (2d.) 

9. Thomas; b. Aug. 9, 1685. He was made a bachelor proprietor in 1707-8 ; 
m. Hannah, d. of Stephen Upson, (1st,) and d. in 1726. Estate, £288. 

10. Benjamin ; b. April 5, 1691. He was accepted as a bachelor proprietor as 
soon as he was of age, and d. June 2, 1714, without a family. His brother John 
was administrator, his estate going to his brothers and sisters. 

JOHN RICHARDS. 

He was the eldest son of Obadiah, but appears not to 
have been an original j)i'oprietor. In 1700-1, Jan. 15, he 
purchased (of the executor) Eobert Porter's £100 right, and 
the purchase was recorded in a formal waj. And yet, he is 
always named on the division-lists as an £80 proprietor. He 
is lirst spoken of '• Jan. 21, 1689," when he had a grant of land 
of four acres, on the usual conditions of building and " cohab- 
iting four years." In December, 1690, he received twelve 
acres, " abought three quarters of a mile up y^ spruce brook 
aboue moun taylor on ye east sd y® great riuer on y® same 
conditions," &c. In 1692, Aug. 17, he got married, and soon 
after had a house on the west side of the "mill path." May 
7, 1694, the town granted him " liberty to let his house stand 
where now it is and to haue the land and to run to the rear of 
John Hopkins home lot he setting the fence on the north side 
the path that now leads to the corn mill and to relinquisli that 



IIISTOKY OF ^VATEKB^RY. 179 

part of his lot that runs the north side the path."* Tlie 
lot was afterwards ("March 28, 1694-5") granted in a more 
formal manner, hutted south on Stephen Upson, west on John 
Hopkins and a great lot and on Thomas Warner, and north 
on the path leading to the corn mill. This land, called three 
acres, with the house, Richards sold in March, 1698-9, to 
Tliomas "Warner, taking in exchange Warner's house and lot 
on Bank street, near the present Baptist Church. Here he 
afterwards resided ; but in 1727, Sept. 28, he sold out for £100, 
conveying the property (two and three quarter acres of land) 
to Jonathan Prindle. 

John Richards seems to have maintained a respectable stand- 
ing. He was several times collector of minister's rates, school 
committee, grand juror, &c. In 1700, 1701, 1712, 1713, 1720, 
he was selectman, and in May, 1723, a deputy to the General 
Court. He died early in 1735.— Estate £1,605, 10s. lOd. His 
will was dated June 7, 1733, and proved April 22d, 1735. 
Several children are named. 

His wife was Mary, a daughter of John Welton, to whom 
he was married Aug. 17, 1692. 

THOMAS RICHASOX. 

He was an early but not a first settler of Farmington, and 
was one of the eighty-four proprietors of 1672. In 1674, he 
subscribed the articles for settling Mattatuck, and was suffi- 
ciently early in his movements, as a planter, to secure an 
old town plot lot, and a portion of fence in each of the four 
divisions. Though a very good man, apparently, ( I find him 
called Goodmanf Richason at an early date,) he had not a 
"steady way," or was slow in meeting his engagements, and 
his rights were declared forfeited in 1682-3. But like others 
in a similar predicament, he bestired himself and regained 
possession. He had but a £50 right, and complained to the 
committee, in Feb. 1680-81, that he was in want of land to 



* From this vote, it would seem that the land, at the time ths home was erected, was common 
land, and that afterwards a road was run through it to the mill, leaving a small portion on 
*' the north [or northeasterly] side." 

t This term was formerly applied to persons of humble but respectable mediocrity as to 
character and position. 



ISO 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURT. 



improve. He liad liberal grants at various times, and was a 
subscriber to Mr. Peck's settlement. 

Tliomas Ricliason owned a lot, in 16S7, on the south side of 
the Green, west of !Mr. Kendrick's ; but whether he had a 
house there and lived in it, I am unable to say. In March, 
1792-3, he bought of Thomas Newel for £60 three and a half 
acres on TVest Main street, near where Samuel J. Holmes now 
lives, where he afterwards appears to have resided. The lot 
had on it two houses, (one of which had been Thomas Han- 
cock's,) and was bounded in ITOS, " west on the Porters, " east 
on John Bronson, north and south on highways. 

Thomas Richason d. Xov. 14, 1712, and his wife, Mary, one 
week afterwards, Xov. 21, both victims of the great sickness. 
Three of their sons, John, Israel and Xathaniel, also d. of the 
pestilence before the close of the year. 

Children : 

1. Mary ; b. Dec. 25, 1667. 

2. Sarah; b. March 25, 1669. 

3. John; b. April 15, 16'72, d. Oct. 11, 1T12. He m. Euth, a daughter 
of John Wheeler, and Elizabeth, a daughter of Nathaniel Arnold, Senr. He was 
admitted to bachelor privileges. Mar 15, 1699, but he had previously had hberal 
grants of land. The first of these was March 28, 1694:-5 — " four acres for a house 
lot on the north side the highway that leads to Farmington, the east side the high- 
way that ranges by Serg. Stanley's lot into the woods north, he fulfilling the tarms 
of original articles." This lot was on the east corner of East Main and Cherry 
streets, and on it Richarson, himself a carpenter, built a house. It was recorded 
to him Jan. 1703— i, and was described as lying northeast from the town, south 
and west on highway, and north and east on common land. This place he deeded 
at about the last named date to his brother Israel, receiving in exchange a house 
and lot of one acre next his father on the west side. 

4. Thomas. He had a grant of land March, 1695 ; was accepted as a bach, pro- 
prietor, March 26, 1699 ; remained in Waterbury long enough to secure his right, 
and then removed to WalUngford. He was there in July, 1705. After his father's 
death, he returned to Waterbury, and was appointed fence viewer in 1713, 
"grave digger" in 171-t, 1715 and 1716, and hayward in 1714, 1717 and 1718. 
In 1719, (March 30,) he sold his house and lot of six acres on the north side of 
"West Main street, ( north and south on highway, east on Eichards' land, and west 
on Ebenezer Eichason's house lot, ) to Thomas Richards' and returned to "Walling- 
ford, where he was living in 1722, a farmer. 

5. Israel. He had a grant of land as early as March 28, 1694, four acres for a 
house lot, on the north side the town, "if it be there to be had, he fulfiUing the 
tarms of the original articles." He became a bach, proprietor March 26, 1699. 
Before he had secured his right, he appears to have left the plantation. Dec. 21, 
1702, the town granted him " liberty of two years before taking the forfeiture of 



UISTOKY OF WATERBURT. 181 

his land and that if he come again in two years to live in the town to have hia 
land, but if he do not then to lose his land that is now forfeited." He returned, 
and was grave digger in 17(i7, and surveyor in 1708 and 1709. His name he 
signed by a mark in 1709. He lived at first on a lot of one acre next his father, 
which the latter gave him March, 1699-1700, bounded March, 17u3-4, east on 
Thomas Richa-soa's house lot, west on Jonathan Scott's house lot, north and south 
on highway. This he exchanged, in 1703, for his brother John's place. He d. of 
the great sickness, Dec. 18, 1712, a few weeks before his wife and his oldest child 
Mary. 

G. Rebecca ; b. April 27, 1079, and m. John Warner, son of John. This is the 
first recorded birth in Waterbury. 

7. Ruth ; b. May lu, 1681, became the second wife of Henry Castle of Wood- 
bury. ( Cothren. ) 

8. Johanna ; b. Sep. 1, 1683, m. Isaac Castle of Woodbury and Daniel Warner. 

9. Nathaniel ; b. May 28, 1686. He was accepted as a bachelor, Jan 7, 1706-7 . 
March 13, 1710-11, the proprietors gave him "four scor acurs of land on the 
north sid the road to Woodbury up the grat brok est from breck nek hill, one 
this condition that he tak it as his hole proprity as a bachelders acomydation and 
coninhabit ten years in the town in a seteled way and bild a tenitabel houa 
acording to originell artycels in five yers and coinhabit 5 yers after bilding his 
hous." Lieut. Stanley, Edmund Scott and Jeremiah Peck protested against this act 
of the proprietors. 

Nathaniel Richarson, d. Nov. 3, 1712, his death securing his lands and rights^ 
which went to his brothers and sisters. 

10. Ebenezer; b. Feb. 4, 1089-90. He was made a bach, proprietor March 5^ 
1711-12, and m. Margaret, daughter of Thomas Warner. He was one of the 
earliest settlers at Wooster Swamp, living near " Wooster Brook." He d. 
June 30, 1772. 

SCOTT. 

Thomas Scott of Hartford, an original proprietor, but not a 
settler, of Farinington, had a son Edmund and two daughters, 
Mary, who m. Eobert Porter, and Sarah, who m. John Stanley 
of Farmington. 

EDMUND SCOTT, Sex. 

He settled in Farmington, with children, at an early date, 
and in. the widow of Thomas Upson. His two youngest 
children, Eobert and Joseph, were by her. He was one of the 
freemen of Farmington of 16G9 and one of the proprietors of 
1672. A subscriber of 16Ti, he was among the earliest that 
came to Mattatuck. His regular allotments of fence, itc, in- 
dicate that with him there was no vascillation of purpose, and 
that he discharged, seasonably, all his obligations. He is 



182 



HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 



mentioned as grantee as late as Jan. 21, 1089-90, and d. soon 
after, before Jnne 2, 1690. At the last date, his will was 
proved, but his inventory, showing a small estate of $17, lis. 
6d., was not presented to Court till April, 1691. His nine 
children are named on the probate record, several of whom 
remained in Waterbury. 

Edmund Scott's house stood where Green Kendrick now 
lives. His lot contained two acres, and was bounded, Feb. 10, 
1687-8, north on highway, south on common, east on John 
Carrington's land, west on Thomas Richason's land. His 
children were as follows, (not arranged probably in the exact 
order of age : ) 

1. Eilmund ; m. Sarah, widow of Benjamin Porter, June, 1G89. 

2. Samuel; b. 1660, m. Feb. 1686-7, Mary Orvice. (W. S. Porter.) 

3. Elizabeth ; m. Davis. 

4. Hannah ; m. John Bronson, son of Richard of Farmington, Oct. 166-1? 

5. Jonathan; m. Hannah, d. of John Hawks of Deerficld, Nov. 1694. 

6. George ; m. Aug. 1691, Mary, d. of Obadiah Richards, and d. Sep. 26, 1724, 
leaving an estate to be distributed of £605, 12s. He was a bach, proprietor, being 
admitted, it appears, Jan. 5, 170*7-8, after he had been many years a married 
man. He had a grant of a house lot of four acres, as early as Dec. 1687, 
described as " on the highway that runs over the Little Brook [North Main street] 
at the northeast corner of the town to butt eastei'ly on the brow of the hill, 
[near Andrew Bryan's house,] and so to run westerly over the brook and to butt 
northerly on a highway, [Grove street,] provided he build a house and live four 
years in the town." On this lot Scott built a house, and in Nov. 1702, it was 
recorded as butting ivest on a highway. He sold the place, Aug. 6, 1703, to 
Benjamin Warner, and in March, 1707-8, owned a house and lot of eight acres 
and a half on the north side of Grove street, near C. C. Adams' residence. 

George Scott was townsman for four years in 1698 and afterwards, surveyor in 
1701, 1704 and 1717, and school committee in 1710 and 1711. He signed his 
name in 1702-3 by proxy. Obadiah Scott, his eldest son, had a bachelor lot, being 
accepted Dec. 13, 1713. He d. in 1735. George Scott, the second son, was also a 
bachelor, admitted in 1715. He d. without a family, in 1725, and his estate was 
distributed to his brothers and sisters. The third son, William Scott, had a half 
bachelor lot, granted in 1722, he and John Warner, son of Ephraim, dividing 
between them the " fourth propriety lot." 

7. David ; was accepted as a bachelor proprietor at thesame time as his brother 
George. He had several grants of land, beginning as early as March 28, 1694, 
-;yhich were, of course, a part of his divisions on his £40 right. He was surveyor 
school committee, and grand juror, at different times; and in 1710, townsman. 
He lived on the homestead of his father, and in 1710, enlarged his lot by purchase 
of John Carrington's heirs. After his death, his heirs, "March 8, 1734," 
sold the property for £100, to James Blakeslee, described as three acres with a 
house, near the meeting house, north and south on highway, east on Dea. Clark, 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 1S3 

west on Edmund Scott. He was a " husbandman." He m. June 10, 1698, Sarah, 
daughter of Obadiah Richards, and d. in 1T27, his will being proved Dec. 5, of 
that year. 

8. Robert; was admitted as a £40 proprietor May 15, 1699. Land was granted 
him by the proprietors in Jan. 1692-3 and afterwards. He owned the house lot 
which had belonged to Thomas Judd, Jr., which he bought in 1701. This place 
he conveyed Oct. 1708, in consideration of a mare, a colt and a cow and £5, 12s., to 
his brother Edmund. After he had secured his bachelor right, he removed from 
the town, and was in Hartford in 1708, 1716 and 1725, a bachelor, apparently. 
His £40 right he sold to his brother Jonathan. 

9. Joseph ; he lived in Farmington. I know nothing of him, except what may be 
gathered from the following extract from the Farmington record. It bears date 
Dec. 19, 1692, and illustrates Puritan manners and government. I suppose he 
was a literal bachelor. 

"The towne by vote gaue to Joseph Scott a Libertie to dwell a Lone prouided 
he do liiithfully improue his time and be hauc him self peasablely and honestly 
towards his neithbours and their Creatures and constantly attend the pnblique 
worship of god, and that he do give an account how he spends his time unto the 
townesnien when it shall be demanded." [Town Book, Vol. I, p. 49.] 

EDMUND SCOTT, Jr. 

He was a son of the preceding, and was accepted by tlie 
committee, in the place of William Iligason. He probably 
came to Mattatuck with liis father and was made a proprietor 
when he became of age. He had a proportion of fence in the 
second division, which would indicate that he had become a 
proprietor in 1678-9, and had a meadow allotment at that 
time. His father gave him, in Feb. 16S2-3, the house which 
he had built, or assisted to build, on the lot which the com- 
mittee had bestowed on him, (the son.) It stood on the south 
side of West Main street, near where John C. Booth lives. The 
lot contained two acres and was bounded, in June, 1091, north 
and south on highway, east on Mr. Peck's land, and west on 
Thomas Judd's land. He (Edmund, Jr.) conveyed it and the 
house, with the land which he had added to it, eight acres in 
the whole, in 1Y32, to his son Jonathan, the tract butting east 
on the heirs of David Scott, west on John Welton's house lot. 

Edmund Scott, Jr., was townsman in 1701 and 1702, sur- 
veyor in 1710 and 1716, and grave digger in 1708, 1717, 1718, 
and 1720. He had a £70 right in the undivided lands. He 
d. at an advanced age, July 20, 1746, having outlived all the 
other settlers who became proprietors before 1780. — Estate 
£113. His wife d. Jan. 17, 1718-9. 



184 HISTOKY OF WATEKBTJBT. 

Children : 

1. A son ; b. Oct., 1690, amd d. Feb. 2d, 1690-1. 

2. Sarah; b. Jan. 29, 1691-2, m. Samuel Warner, son of Thomas. 

3. Samuel; b. Sept. 1694; became a bach. prop, in 1715; resided at Judd's 
Meadow and d. April SO, 1768. — Estate £294. His widow (Mary, daughter of John 
Richards) d. Sept. 5, 1776. 

4. Elizabeth ; b. March 1, 1696-7 ; m. Samuel Warner, son of Daniel. 

5. Hannah; b. June, 1700, m. in 1744, Ebenezer Elwell. 

6. Edmund; b. May 10, 1703, m. Martha, d. of John Andruss, Aug. 12, 1730, 
and d. March 23, 1733. — Estate £229. He lived at Judd's Meadow. 

7. John; b. Sept. 21, 1707 ; m. Eunice, d. of Thomas Griffin of Simsbury, and 
d. March 14, 1756. (His widow was living in 1766.) He lived in the southwest 
quarter, at Judd's Meadow, near " Meshadock." 

8. Jonathan ; b. Aug. 4, 1711, and d. 1741, giving his property to his wife. 

SAMUEL SCOTT. 

He was admitted a proprietor, by act of the town, Dec. 30, 
1684, receiving half an allotment of £100. He received, at 
the same time, a house lot on the east side of Bank street, all 
on condition that he should build a house according to the 
articles, and live in the town four years after building. These 
things he did. He was not in the town soon enough to have 
an early division of fence, or an old town plot eight acre lot ; 
but he was among those who participated in the land-division 
of 1688, after which time, his name disappears from the lists 
of proprietors. He did not remain long in the town after his 
propriety right had been secured. He probably left in 1689, 
or in 1689-90. He was not a subscriber to Mr. Peck's £60 
settlement. April 28, 1691, he was " of Farmington," and at 
that date, sold and conveyed to his brother Jonathan all his 
lands, divided and undivided, in Waterbury, including his 
house and house lot of two acres, the latter bounded north on 
Stephen Upson's land, south on Eichard Porter, west on high- 
way, east on common. He died in Farmington June 30, 1745, 
aged 85, and his wife died 'Nov. 28, 1Y48, aged 85. 

JONATHAN SCOTT. 

He was a son of Edmund, Sen., and is first mentioned on 
the records in Jan. 1689-90, when he received a grant of land 
on the west side of " Union Square," he to build a house and 
" inhabit " four years. It does not appear that he built upon 
this land. In Dec. 1690, he had ten acres granted him at 
Wooster Swamp. His name is not among the subscribers of 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 185 

the agreement witli Mr. Peck, he then probably being barely 
twenty-one years of age. lie became a proprietor by pur- 
chase of his brother Samuel, April 28, 1691. 

Jonathan Scott had but little to do with the public business. 
He was fence viewer in 1702, 1700 and again in 1717 — noth- 
ing more. His name is rarely found on the records, and it is 
difficult to find his " whereabouts" from recorded evidence, con- 
veyances, &c. At first, he may have lived in the house he 
bought of his brother, in 1691. Afterwards, before Jan., 
1703-4, be resided on the nortb side, near the west end of 
West Main street, on a lot of one acre and three quarters, re- 
corded April 27, 1717, and bounded north and south on high- 
way, east and west on the heirs of John Richason, dec'd. 
He signed his name by proxy, as did several of his brothers. 
The story of his captivity by the Indians, in 1710, I have al- 
ready related. He ultimately, or soon after 1720, removed to 
Wooster Swamp, in the north part of Watertown, near Scott's 
Mountain, Vhere he built a saw mill, (spoken of in 1725, as 
belonging to liim and his son Jonathan,) and lived with his 
sons. The tradition is that he was buried on Scott's Moun- 
tain, and his supposed grave is still pointed out. That part of 
the tradition, however, which relates to the circumstances and 
time of liis death, as that he died by violence on his way to 
the north, at the hands of the Indians, after having had his 
tongue cut out, is without foundation in fact. He is believed 
to have been the earliest permanent settler of present Water- 
town. He d. May 15, 1745, and his wife, April 7, 1744. 

Children : 

1. A daughter; b. and d. Aug. 1695. 

2. Jonathan; b. Sept. 29, 1696. After his return (in 1Y15) from captivity, he 
was made a £40 proprietor. In 1722, he was chosen pound keeper, and in 1723, 
surveyor, soon after which he appears to have removed to Wooster Swamp, at 
which place he had much land laid out on his own right and on that which was 
his uncle Robert's. 

3. John; b. June 5, 1699. He is said never to have returned from his captiv- 
ity, in 1709. 

4. Martha ; b. July 9, 1701 ; m. Joseph Ilurlbut of Woodbury. 

5. Gcrshom ; b. Sept. 6, 1703, and d. June 24, 1780. His father gave him a 
house and lands at Wooster Swamp in 1731. 

6. Eleazer ; b. Dec. 31, 1705. His father gave him a house and three acres of 
land at Wooster Swamp in 1733. 



186 IIISTOEY OF WATEKBUEY. 

V. Daniel ; b. Sept. 20, 1707. In 1735, his father gave him a part of his home- 
stead, three acres. He was a doctor. 

JOHN SCOVILL. 

He was an early settler of Farmington, and a proprietor of 
1672. As a proprietor of Waterburj, he was accepted Jan. 15, 
1677-8, as a substitute for Abraham Bronson. He probably did 
not join the settlement till late in 1678. His name is fovind in 
the second and fourth divisions of fence, and is on the list 
of those who had old town plot lots. He was one of those w]io 
tried the patience of the committee, till at last his rights were de- 
clared forfeited. He recovered his allotments by submitting, &c. 
He lived on a lot of two acres on the corner of West Main 
and Willow streets, where Mrs. Bennet Bronson now resides. 
But he found living in Waterbury a serious business, became 
discouraged, and Avent away. I know not the exact time. He 
was not a subscriber to Mr. Peck's settlement in 1689, but he 
may, notwithstanding, have been in town at tli^ time. In 
1696, he was " of Haddam," and July 18th of that year, he 
conveyed by deed " for divers valuable, good and lawful 
causes and considerations " to his " well beloved son John 
Scovill and his heirs for ever," all his estate in Waterbury — 
his lands and rights of land, divided and undivided, including 
his house and house lot of two acres, (butted south and east on 
highway, north and west on Dea. Judd's land,) together 
with nine other parcels of land. He, however, reserved an in- 
terest in the estate of the value of ten pounds, the income of 
which was to be paid to his wife during her natural life, 
" should it please God to take me away before her," &c. 

There was a William Scovill, in Haddam, who settled 
there, according to Field, about 1686. There was also an Ed- 
ward Scofell, or Scovill, who died there in 1703. I know 
nothing of their relationship to John of Waterbury. 

John Scovill was m. March 20, 1666, to Sarah, d. of Thomas 
Barnes of Farmington, and died in Haddam in 1712. — Estate 
£176. But little is known of his children. Eev. W. S. Por- 
ter gives the names of four : 

1. Mehitable; m. Feb. 15, 1685, Caleb Hopkins. 

2. Eleazer ; m. Abagail Langdon. 

3. Samuel, (of Watertown, Mass. ;) m. Ruth Langdon. 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 187 

4. John; m. Feb. 6, 1693-4, Hannah, d. of Obadiah Kichards. He had his first 
grant of land in Waterbury, Jan. 21, 1689-90, on condition that he should build a 
house, &c., a condition from which he was afterwards, after his father's removal, re- 
leased. When the grant was made, he had probably just reached the age of twenty- 
one j-ears. It was customary to notice the young men at that age, in a similar way, 
for their encouragement. He lived where his father did. He was a man of con- 
siderable influence, and was engaged to some extent in the public business. He was 
school conmiittec ; collector of the town and minister's rates; grand juror; towns- 
man in 1698, 1699, 1702,1703; constable in 1707 and 1715; deputy to the 
Colonial Assembly in May, 1714, and "keeper of the pound key," in 1725, and 
afterwards. He had reputation as a military man, and rose to the rank of ser- 
geant, as early as 1718. He d. Feb. 26, 1726-7, aged, probably, about 58. His 
wife d. "March 5, 1720." — Estate £1061, 15s. His house and house lot were 
appraised at £ 120. His son John, (born Jan. 12, 1694-5,) was accepted as a 
" bachelor," in 1715. The last was constable in 1729; pound keeper for many 
years; townsman often; a deputy. May, 1745, and a lieutenant. He too lived on 
the family homestead, (as did his son Obadiah,) and died April 28, 1759. 

Rkv. JOHN SOUTHMAYD. 
He was the great grandson of Sir William Soutlimayd of 
tlie county of Kent, England, to whom arms were granted in 
June, 160-i. A son of the latter, named William, came to this 
country. His name is in the " cjuarterly files " of Salem, 
Mass., where this entry is found : 

John Southmate sonne of Will Southmate by millisscn his wife borne 2G"> of the 
S"* mo. 1645 — willia™ southmayd the elder sonne of william southmayd by mil- 
lissen his wife born the 17"*. of the 7"". nio. 1643. 

william southmayd. 

[Manuscript letter from Rev. Daniel S. Southmayd, Concord, Mass., Xov. 1829.] 

JSTothing more is known of William Southmayd, of Essex 
county, Mass., or of his son John named above. His "elder 
sonne " William, father of the Eev. John, removed to Middle- 
town about 1660. In October, 1673, he married Esther, 
daughter of Giles Hamlin,* and had the following children 
1. William ; born July 24, 1674, and died an infant. 2. Jolm 
b. August 23, 1676. 3. William ; b. March 6, 1679, and died 
an infant. 4. Giles; b. Jan. 17,1680-1; d. 1728, childless. 
5. Esther ; b. Oct. 28, 1682 and d. Dec. 29, 1682. Esther, the 
wife, d. Nov. 11, 1682 and Wm. Southmayd m. Margaret, 

* Mr. Hamlin was one of the early settlers of Middletown. He married Esther Crowe, a 
daughter of John Crowe of Hartford, and a granddaughter of Elder William Goodwin. Their 
children were, Esther, John, Mary, Giles, Mehitable, William. Mr. Ilamlin was one of the 
prominent men of his times. lie was commissioner, a member of the Council, and several times 
a deputy to the General Court. He died Sep. 1, 16S9. 



18S HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

daughter of Col. Joliu AUjii of Hartford, long secretary of 
the Colony. Their children were : 1. Allyii ; b. Feb. 7,1685; 
lived to an old age and d. at St. Johns, New Fonndland. 2. 
Daniel; b. Sep. 1687; d. Nov. 23, 1703. 3. Margaret; b. 
Aug. 11, 1691. 4. Anna; b. Jan. 10, 1693. 5. Joseph; b. 
March 1 5, 1695, and d. 1772. 6. WilKam ; b. Jan. 9, 1698, and 
d. 1717. 7. Meliscent; b. Jan. 3, 1700 ; d. Dec. 12, 1717. From 
Joseph and William have descended the Southmayds of Mid- 
dletown and Yermont. William Southmayd, the father, d. 
Dec. 4, 1703. He called himself a mariner. His inventory 
bears date Feb. 23, 1702-3, and amounted to £1,085, 17s. 6d. 
His wife d. a widow, March 16, 1732-3. 

Rev. John Southmayd's home lot (previously called " a 
great lot") at first contained but two acres ; but for his better 
accommodation, the town obtained for him, by exchange, in 
1704, the lot next adjoining on the east, then owned by 
Thomas Judd, Jr. The house built for him was a frame house, 
and was fortified in the Indian wars. 

Mr. Southmayd, in 1700, married Susanna Ward, a daughter 
of William and Phebe Ward. Their children were : 

1. Esther; b. Sep 12, 1701 ; m. Capt. Daniel Starr, of Middletown. She had 
several children, and died a widow at an advanced age. 

2. Susanna; b. Jan. 5, 1703-4; m. Sep. 25, 1*734, Thomas Bronson, son of 
Thomas, and d. Aug 13, 1741. 

3. Anne; b. Oct. 27, 1706; m. Joseph Bronson, son of John, June 1, 1732, 
and d. Aug. 12, 1749. 

4. John; b. June 21, 1710 ; m. Miliscent, d. of Samuel Gajdard of Middletown, 
April 25, 1739. He d. Feb. 28, 1742-3, leaving two children, William and 
Samuel, both of whom left families. The widow m. Timothy Judd, son of William 
Judd. 

5. Daniel ; b. April 19, 1717 ; m. Hannah, d, of Samuel Brown, March 24, 1749 ; 
had three children, Anne, John and Daniel, (all of whom lived to be marrried,) 
and d. Jan. 12, 1754. 

JOHN STANLEY. 

Tlie grandfather of the Waterbury Stanleys, Jolm Stanley, 
is said to have died on his passage over from England, leaving 
a son John and a daughter Ruth, both of whom were mar- 
ried (the same day) Dec. 5, 1645, the latter to Isaac More. 
John, the son, was a nephew of Timothy Stanley of Cam- 
bridge and Hartford. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 189 

John Stanley, the father of onr proprietors, was born in 
1625 ; came to New England in 1634 ; settled in Farniington 
early ; joined the chnrch there, July 12, 1653 ; was a deputy 
to the General Court from F. four sessions, first in 1659 ; saw 
service in King Philip's war as lieutenant and captain, and was 
one of the leading men of Farniington. 

John Stanley of F. m. Dec. 5, 1645, Sarah, d. of Thomas 
Scott, and June 26, 1661, Sarah, d. of John Fletcher of Mil- 
ford. He d. Dec. 19, 1T06, and his second wife and widow. 
May 15, 1713. His children were : 1. John; b. in Hartford, 
Nov. 3, 164T. 2. Thomas ; b. in Farmington, Nov. 1, 1649 ; 
m., in 1690, Anne, d. of Rev. Jeremiah Peck, and d. May 
23, 1718. 3. Sarah ; b. Feb. 1651-2, and m. Joseph Gay- 
lord. 4. Timothy ; b. March 17, 1653-4. 5. Elizabeth ; 
b. April 1, 1657, and d. young. 6. Abigail ; b. July 25, 
1669 ; m. Nov. 1687, John Hooker. 7. Elizabeth ; b. Nov. 28, 
1672 ; m. John Wadsworth, and d. Oct. 5, 1713. 8. Isaac ; 
b. Sept. 22, 1660, and appears to have been an imbecile. By 
the will of his father, he could not dispose of the estate given 
him without the consent of his brothers, John Stanley and 
John Hooker. 

JOHN STANLEY. 

John Stanley, son of Capt. John of F., was one of the eigh- 
ty-four proprietors of that town in 1672. He signed the peti- 
tion to the General Court concerning Mattatuck, in 1673, and 
subscribed the articles of settlement in 1674, taking a £100 
right. He was one of the assignees to whom the first Indian 
deed of lands in Mattatuck was made over, and a grantee, by 
name, in the subsequent deeds. He came very early to our 
town, but may not have been with the first company of set- 
tlers ; for he had no allotment of fence in the first division 
made in the spring of 1677-8. In no other division is his 
name omitted. After having once put his hand to the plow, 
there is no appearance of his looking back ; at any rate, till 
some broad furrows had been traced. He was, more than 
any otlier man, with the exception of Thomas Judd, Sen., the 
ruling spirit and father of the settlement. He was often se- 



190 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 



lected by the Assembly's committee to act in their absence. 
He laid out the lots of the proprietors, staked out and appor- 
tioned the common fence, " located " highways, settled boun- 
daries of adjoining towns, &c. Thomas Judd was usually his 
associate. He was the first recorder of the town and propri- 
etors, appointed first by the committee and afterwards by the 
town. His first recorded appointment by the latter was Dec. 
26, 1682, and he was annually reappointed till his removal to 
Farmington. So far as appears, he was the only person 
among the earliest proprietors of Mattatuck, who was full}^ 
qualified for the office. He wrote a legible and business-like 
hand. 

John Stanley was a sergeant in the Waterbury train-band, 
in April, 1683, and afterwards, when no higher officer was 
permitted. In Oct. 1689, when a lieutenant was allowed, he 
was the first selected for that office. His appointment was 
confirmed by the Assembly, Oct. 1689. It was a distinguish- 
ed honor, and no doubt he bore it worthily. After Waterbury 
began to send a representative to the General Court, Lieut. 
Stanley was the second whose name is recorded. He was__^a 
deputy in May, 1690, and in May, 1693. What persuaded 
him finally to quit the settlement, in a time of great affliction, 
I am not able to say. It is to be hoped he had better reasons 
than any that can be thought of at this distant day. His loss 
must have been seriously felt. He returned to Farmington 
early in 1695, or before April 9th of that year, where he was 
a deacon in ITll and afterwards. He, however, retained 
most of his lands in Waterbury and iiis propriety right, and 
was a frequent visitor to the town to look after his estate. 
His familiarity with the records of the town was the cause of 
his appointment, in 1705, to copy, for the purpose of preserv^a- 
tion, such portions as were most important. He gave some 
attention to the duties of this appointment from time to time. 

John Stanley lived near the old meeting-house and near 
the place where the Second Congregational Church now^ 
stands. His lot contained three and a half acres, and was 
bounded, Sept. 29, 1687, westwardly on highway, northwardly 
on Isaac Bronson's land, southwardly on Joseph Gaylord's 
land, and east on the common. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 191 

John Stanley m. in 1669, Esther, cl. of Thomas ISTewell of 
Farmington, and d. May 16, 1729. His widow d. in 17-10. 
Children : 

1. Esther ; b. in Farmington, Dec. 2, 1672, and d. I6l6. 

2. John ; b. in F. April 9, 1675 ; m. Dec. 14, 1714, Mary Wright, and d. Sept. 
8, 1748, leaving three children, John, Thomas and Mary. He lived in Kensing- 
ton. Though accepted as a bachelor proprietor of Waterbury, in 1715, there is 
no trace of him as an inhabitant after his father's removal in 1695. 

3. Samuel; b. 1677; m. July 15, 1702, Elizabeth, d. of Abraham Bronson of 
Lyme, and had six children born in Waterbury, the two last twins — Samuel, Abra- 
ham, John, Esther, Ebenezer and Anna, (b. "March 8, 1713;") two, Elizabeth 
and Asa, b. in 1715 and I7l7 in Farmington and recorded in Waterbury ; and one 
or two others, Ruth and Josiah? The father d. in 1747. 

Samuel Stanley was a carpenter and mill-wright ; townsman in 1704 and 1705 ; 
collector of town taxes in 1707 ; school committee in 1711 and 1712, &c. He 
lived on the old homestead of his father, in whom the title remained. The pro- 
perty was sold, July 9, 1714, to Ephraim Warner, for £45, the deed being signed 
by both father and son. Soon after the date of this deed, Samuel Stanley re- 
moved. He lived in Wallingford, Farmington and Durham. He was admitted a 
bachelor proprietor in 1715. 

4. Nathaniel; b. 1679; m. Sarah, d. of Samuel Smith of Farmington, where he 
lived and had nine children, and then removed (after 1739) to Goshen, and d. 
1770. 

5. Thomas; baptized May 25, 1684, at Farmington; m. 1690, Anne, daughter 
of Rev. Jeremiah Peck. He had a son Thomas and a daughter Anne living in 
1728. 

6. Sarah ; bap. July 4, 1686, at F. 

7. Timothy ; b. June 6, 1689 ;* bap. in F. May 11, 1790 ; m. Dec. 15, 1718, Mar. 
tha, d. of Samuel Smith of F. ; had seven children b. in F., four of whom died in 
infancy. He removed to Goshen after 1735 and before 1742, and d. 1761. He was 
a captain and the owner and emancipator of a slave. 

TIMOTHY STANLEY. 
He was in Mattatnck sufficiently early to have an old town 
plot lot, and an allotment in all the divisions of fence. In 
1682-3, however, he was condemned for delinquency ; but he 
soon made amends, and regained what he had lost. He was 
one of the two first townsmen (appointed, probably, in 1680) 
whose names are recorded. He held the same office in 1702 
and afterwards. He was school committee often ; moderator 
of proiJrietors' meeting in 1706 ; gi-and juror in 1713. In Oct. 
1694, he was sent as deputy to the General Court, being the 

* This birth is recorded by the father in Waterbury, and it is the only one of the family that 
is so recorded. 



192 



HISTORY OF WATERBDKT. 



third person that received that honor. He held the same 
office May, 1695, 1696 and 1699, May and Oct. 1708, 1709 and 
1711, and Oct. 1718. For a short period, in 1704-5, after 
Lient. Judd's death, he appears to have held the office of justice 
of the peace. In military rank he seems, in the first instance, 
to ha.ve ranked fourth. He was sergeant in 1695, ensign in 
1696, and lieutenant and chief in command in 1703, which last 
office he held through a critical period till 1715. 

Timothy Stanley called himself "cloath weur" in 1716-17. 
His standing among his fellow townsmen may be gathered 
from the responsible positions he occupied. His house stood 
on the spot where Capt. Lemuel Harrison now lives. It was 
one of the fortified houses in the Indian war. His lot of two 
acres was bounded, in Nov. 1687, north and south on high- 
way, west on John Carrington's land, east on Daniel Porter's 
land. In June, 1713, Stanley deeded to his wife's nephew, 
Thomas Clark, his adopted son, one half of his house and 
homestead and other lands, divided and undivided, Clark 
agreeing "to take care of s"' Stanley and his wife and carion 
all the work of the family or families wn [when] there shall 
be need with y* help of s"* Standley and the rest of y" family 
y« whole income of y^ estate to be to y^ use of both as they 
shall need," &c. 

Timothy Stanley m. in 1676, Mary, d. of John Strong 
of Windsor, and d. childless, Nov. 12, 1728. His wife 
Mar}^ d. Sep. 30, 1722. Thomas Clark was his executor and 
principal heir. The estate in Waterbury amounted to £703, 
and in Farmington to £108. Tlie will mentions Thomas Clark 
and Sarah his wife, and their children ; Timothy, Samuel, 
Nathaniel and John Stanley, sons of John, the brother of the 
testator; Joseph, John and Benjamin Gay lord; Kuth Ilickox 
and Johannah Royce, children of Sarah Gaylord, the sister of 
the deceased. 

Timothy Stanley and his wife were buried near the spot 
where the stone of Dea. Clark is now standing, in the old 
burying yard. 




.y^i^j/a/i /,h-r?iu^'77^ 



J-A'ei/y J^nUr 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 193 

STEPHEN UPSOX. 

The father, Thomas Upson, was early in Hartford. He was 
one of those, not proprietors, enumerated in 1638, who had 
the privilege of getting wood and. keeping cows on the 
common. In that year, lie (with others) was " censured and. 
fined for vnseasonable and immoderate drinking at the 
pinnace," 20s. He was an original proprietor and settler of 
Farmington, and m. in 1616, Elizabeth Fuller. He d. July 19, 
1655, and a daughter named Elizabeth d. the next day. The 
widow m. Edmund Scott. The estate, which was small, w^as 
distributed in 1671, to the remaining children, Thomas, 
Stephen, Mary, Hannah, and to Edmund Scott in right of his 
wife. 

Stephen Upson was not one of the first company of pro- 
prietors and settlers of Waterbury. He was accepted, (or 
rather signed the articles by a mark,) Dec. 29, 1679, not as 
the substitute of another, but as the record, says, " on the 
account of a new lot." He had a £50 propriety and an allot- 
ment in the second and fourth divisions of fence ; but he had 
not one of the old town plot lots, these being divided among 
the original thirty subscribers, or their substitutes and suc- 
cessors. In 1680-81, he was "straitened" for land, and the 
committee on petition granted relief. He does not ajDpear to 
have faltered inexcusably in his duty as a subscriber of the 
articles. His name does not frequently appear on the earlier 
records, (before 1700,) except as the grantee of lands. He 
signed the £60 agreement witli Mr. Peck and was one of a 
committee to settle bounds with Woodbury in April, 1702. 
He was surveyor, school committee, grand juror, often towns- 
man, and three times deputy to the General Court — in May, 
1710, Oct. 1712, and Oct. 1729. He became a sergeant in 
1715, and in 1729, he had a seat with the veterans in the new 
meeting-house. 

Stephen Upson, "carpenter," lived on the east side of 
Bank street, near where the house of E. E. Prichard now 
stands. His lot contained four acres and was bounded, Feb. 
10, 1687-8, southerly on Samuel Scott's land, northerly on 
parsonage lot, west and east on highways. In Dec. 1697, he 
13 



194 mSTOKY OF WATERBURT. 

excliaiiged with the town two acres at the east end of his lot 
for the two acres lying next him on the north called the 
parsonage lot. 

Stephen Upson m. December 29, 1682, Mary d. of John 
Lee, Sen., of Farmington, and d. in 1735, aged 80, or over. 
His wife d. Feb. 15, 1715-16. His will was dated Kov. 8, 
1713, and proved July 3, 1735. Estate, £520, 17s. He had, 
during his lifetime, given much of his property to his 
children. 

Children : 

1. Mary ; b. Nov. 5, 1683 ; m. Richard Welton, son of John. 

2. Stephen; b. Sep. 30, 1686; was accepted as a bachelor proprietor, Jan. 
1705-6; m. Sarah, d. of Isaac Bronson and d. Sep. 10, 1777. His wife d. 1748. 
His house was, at first, on the southwest corner of Grand and Banlc streets. The 
land on which lie had already built, in 1718, described as three acres, "just by 
tlie south meadow gate and within the common fence, " his father gave him at 
that date. June 28, 1733, he sold and conveyed this place, described now as five 
acres, with a house and barn, to James Prichard, and the same day received a deed 
from his father of the family homestead, four acres, bounded west on highway, 
north on John Punderson's land, east on Thomas Upson's and Thomas Porter's 
land, south on Thomas Porter. 

Stephen Upson, Jr., represented the town in the Colonial Assembly, in Oct. 
1743, at which time he bore the title of captain. 

3. Elizabeth ; b. Feb. 14, 1689-90, and m. Thomas Bronson. 

4. Thomas ; b. March 1, 1692-8 ; was accepted as a £40 proprietor in 1715; m. 
Rachel, d. of Dea. Thomas Judd, and d. in 1761. He hved on Cole street, near 
East Main, on the place owned first, by John Richards. His father bought it of 
Benjamin Warner, executor of Thomas Warner, and in 1718, gave it to the son, 
with the house. In the deed making this grant, the fiither "thinks it reason- 
able to consider" his sons "above" his daughters, in the distribution of his 
estate, and orders the gift " not to be recorded as part or portion in the distri- 
bution " of his estate among his children. In Feb. 1732-3, Thomas Upson sold 
out to Jonathan Baldwin for £150 money, the property being described as "three 
and a half acres of land with a house and barn, " kc. He then removed to 
Farmington, afterwards Southington, and now the eastern part of Wolcott, 
(Southington Mountain.) 

5. Hannah; )). " abought March 16, 1G95 ;" m. Thomas Richards and John 
Bronson, and was living a widow, in 1751. 

6 Tabitha; b. "March 11, 1698," and m. John Scovill, 2d. 

7. John ; b. Dec. 13, 1702, and m. Elizabeth, d. of Thomas Judd. He appears 
to have resided, for several years, after 1732-3, in Farmington, though the 
birtlis of his children, down to 1745, are recorded in Waterbury. 

8. Thankful ; b. March 14, 1706-7, and m. James Blakeslee. 



I 



IIISTOEY OF WATERBUKY. 195 

WARNER. 

John Warner, Sen. lived first in Hartford, tlien in Farming- 
ton. Of the latter town he was an original proprietor and set- 
tler. He was one of the Pequot soldiers, and for his services 
had a grant of land, in 1071, from the General Court, fifty 
acres, which Serg. Thomas Judd and Serg. John Stanley were 
appointed to lay out to his heirs in Oct. 1689. He was one of 
the petitioners who asked liberty '• to make a small plantation 
at Mattatuck," (as were his sons John and Daniel,) and signed 
the articles of 1671, writing his name John Warner, Sen. He 
intended to join the new settlement hut died before removal, 
in 1679. His wall, dated in March of that year, names as his 
children, John, Daniel, Thomas, Sarah. The last M^as baptized 



JOHN WARNER, (Jr.) 

Both he and his father John are on the list of the freemen 
of F. in 1669, and on the list of proprietors of 1673. He sub- 
scribed the articles in 1674, and made an early movement to 
secure his right. His name is in all the fence-divisions. 

John Warner, called Sen. on the Waterbury records, had 
recorded, Feb. 19, 1702-3, one acre and a half of land on 
which his dwelling-house then stood, east on Jonathan Scott's 
house lot, north, south and west on highway. There is some 
difliculty in ascertaining where this lot was situated. Though 
there is something not quite intelligible about the west boun- 
dary, I have ventured to place it on the north side of West 
Main street, near to Willow street. He owned land next west 
of Kobert Porter in 1687-8. He sold the place, March 4, 
1701-5, to John Judd, and Judd conveyed it, Nov. 5, 1715, 
to Joseph Hickox of Dnrham, and Hickox deeded it, the same 
day, to Elizabeth Kichason, widow and administrator of John 
Eichason, the boundaries being the same as w^hen owned by 
Warner. 

History has but little to say of John Warner, Sen., of Water- 
bury. He returned to Farmington soon after 1700. He call- 
ed himself " of Farmington " in a deed, in April, 1703, and 
again in 1705-6 ; and yet in his will, dated Farmington, 



196 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

Dec. 27, 1706, lie speaks of himself as " of Waterbury." He 
died soon after the last date, his inventory being taken March, 
1706-7. His personal estate was valued at £71, and his real 
estate was given by will, his house and homestead in Water- 
bury to his sou John. John Warner and Samuel Bronson 
(son-in-law) were executors. His will (he sigued by a mark, 
as did his brother Thomas) names five cliildren. Thomas is 
not mentioned. 

1. John; b. March 1, 1670; m. Sept. 28, 1698, Rebecca, d. of Thomas Richa- 
son. He d. March 3, 1751, and his wife Aug 1, 1748. He was made a £40 pro- 
prietor, March 26, 1699, his right being entered in 1722 and afterwards as 
"John Warner, Sen., bach, lot." He had a grant of land of twenty-five acres in 
1690, he to build, &e. As early as April 20, 1703, he seems to have been living 
on Buckshill. At that date he sold land adjoining him to Joseph Gaylord, Jr. 
He appears to have been the first settler on Buckshill. Here he remained seve- 
ral years, but at length removed to Stratford. He was in the latter place June, 
1715, at which time he sold to Daniel Shelton of said Stratford thirty-three acres 
of land and a house on Buckshill. About 1723, he returned to Waterbury and 
settled in that part of the town afterwards called Westbury. Here he had pre- 
viously much land laid out, and here he had a house in Dec. 1724, near Steel's 
Brook, and the road to Wooster Swamp. At this time and after his return from 
Stratford, he was sometimes called I)r. John Warner, as though he had been 
practicing medicine while absent. He continued in this occupation, and was the 
first physician in Westbury. When Westbury became a separate society he was 
made the first deacon of the church. He held no important town offices. 

2. Ephraim; m. Esther, d. of Obadiah Richards, Aug. 16, 1692, and d. Aug. 1, 
1753, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. This is the age given him by the 
record ; but it would make him born about the same time as his brother John. I 
suppose they were not twins, and that Ephraim was the youngest ; but there is no 
conclusive evidence of this. He had five children born in Waterbury, the last in 
Feb. 1702-3 ; and two born, I suppose, in Woodbury,* Ebenezer and Ephraim. 
All outlived their father except Margaret and the first Ephraim. The estate was 
first settled by agreement among the heirs, and afterwards by order of probate, in 
1762, there being probably some misunderstanding about the first settlement. It 
amounted, according to inventory, to but £14, 19s., much having been given away 
to the children during the lifetime of the deceased. 

Eprhaim Warner had his first grant of land, Jan. 21, 1689-90, on the northeast 
corner of Willow and Grove streets, (bounded south, west and north on high- 
ways and east on the three acre lot of Thomas Judd, Sen.,) on condition that he 
should erect a house and " coinhabit four years," according to the original arti- 
cles. Here he seems to have built and resided till about Sept. 26, 1701, when he 
sold out to Stephen Welton. He next had a house and forty-two and a hahf acres 

* It is not certain they were not born in Waterbury because not recorded. It was coinmon 
to make a record only at considerable intervals, and then record several together. If a person 
died, and particularly if he removed, one or more children born last were not sure to be re- 
cordeci; 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 107 

of land on Buckshill, which he exchanged, Feb. 21, 1703-4, with Benjamin War- 
ner for a house and four acres of land, the land in two pieces, one situated on the 
cast, the other on the west side of Cook street. The house was on the west 
side. Here he resided till he had secured his £40 right, which was granted 
"March 18, 1701," and then removed to Woodbury. In April, 1714, the follow- 
ing vote was passed in town meeting : 

" The town to encourage Dr. Ephraira Warner to come and live with us grant 
him the use of the school land for three years (only one half the lot in Ilancox's 
Meadow is exempted this year,) he to maintain the fence." 

The town also voted him ten acres in the sequester, on the condition that he re- 
mained four years. It seems he had been practicing medicine in Woodbury, where 
his brother Ebenezcr was engaged in the same calling, and the Waterbury people 
wanted his services. He may have served them as physician before his removal, 
but there is no sufficient evidence of this. He is never called Doctor on the record 
till Dec. 170(), and then it is not clear whether he was in Waterbury or Wood- 
bury. After this date, his name is not mentioned till the town vote soliciting his 
return. He did return and became " physician " or " practitioner " (as he is called 
in deeds) of the town, Dr. Porter being surgeon, or more properly " bouesetter." 
He appears to have settled on Buckshill, as did several of his sons, to whom he 
gave houses and lands. In Aug. 1733, he conveyed to his " beloved son Ebene- 
zer" half his dwelling-house, ("the north end,") and twenty acres of land on the 
east side the highway, opposite his (the fiUher's) dweUiug-house, and half the 
barn : also, " the smith's shop and the tools for smith work," he to pay his broth- 
er Ephraim £20 in labor in twelve months. In April, 1738, he had removed down 
nto the village, and occupied the northwest corner of Cook and Grove streets , 
which he had previously owned. At this date, for £120 which "he would bestow" 
on his son Ephraim " as his part or portion," he deeded to him the place, described 
as three acres and a half, with all the buildings and improvements,- north and 
east on highways, south on Thomas Bronson, west on Samuel Scott, the grantor re- 
serving the use of one half the property during his life and during the life of his 
wife. Afterwards, Jan. 1742-3, he quit-claimed to Ephraim, then of Farmington, 
the whole property. 

Dr. Warner, after his return to Waterbury, became one of the " notabilities" of 
the town. His name is often met with on the record. He bought and sold rea \ 
estate to a large extent, and was engaged in pubUc business. He was towns- 
man, school committee, town collector, deputy to the General Court in 
May, 1717, May, 1719, May and Oct. 1720, |and May, 1722, and moderator of 
town meeting in 1730. As early as 1722, he was chosen captain of the train 
band, and was the second who was thus distinguished in the town. — Benjamin 
Warner, eldest son of Dr. Ephraim, (b. Sept. 30, 1G98,) was accepted as a £40 
proprietor, Dec. 23, 17 15. He died in April, 1772. He lived on Buckshill, 
(where his father gave him a house and lands,) and was a physician. He was 
called " Doctor Ben," to distinguish him from his father. — John Warner, second 
son of Dr. Ephraim, was b. June 24, 1700. The proprietors granted him half a 
bachelor lot, which was the fourth propriety lot, Nov. 28, 1722, William Scott hav 
jng the other half. In Dec. 1724, his father, with whom he then lived, gave him 
twenty acres of land and a house on Buckshill, valuing them to him " at £60 
money." lie afterwards removed to Northbury, and was the third deacon in the 
Northbury church, appointed in 1746. He d. Sept. 7, 1794. 



198 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 



3. Robert ; settled iu Woodbury, and died in iTsg. 

4. Ebenezer. He settled in Woodbury, became a physician, and died in 1*709. 
Col. Seth Warner of the Revolution was his grandson. (Cotbren.) 

6. Lydia; bap. March 13, 1680-81, and m. Samuel Bronson, Her father iu his 
will gave to her his "beds and bedding, furniture, and household stuff." 
6. Thomas ; baptized May 6, 1683. He must have died before his father. 

(WiD.) DANIEL WARNER. 

It lias already been stated that Daniel Warner, one of tlie 
original petitioners and first subscribers, died in Farmiiigton, 
late in 1679 ; and that the committee bestowed his propriety of 
£60 and his allotments on the widow and her children, advis- 
ing her to erect a dwelliug-honse " with all possible speed." 
She followed the advice, and is supposed to have lived on the 
north side of West Main street, next east of Thomas Judd, 
Sen., on a lot of two acres which, in April, 1693, stood in the 
name of her son, Daniel Warner, and which was sold by him, 
at that date, to the said Judd, butted north and south on high- 
way, east on Obadiah Eichards. 

I know not who were the children of Daniel Warner of Far- 
mington, except that one was 

Daniel. He settled in Waterbury, and came into the possession of the family 
right in the undivided lands. His first recorded grant of land was in Jan. 1689-90) 
about the period probably of his majority. In exchange for the family home- 
stead, he received of Judd, about the time of his marriage, three acres at Stanley's 
Timber, so called, on the north side of the Farmington road, half a mile or more 
from the meeting-house. Here he built a house and lived. The lot, with two 
acres which had been added to it, was recorded in June, 1*703, as five acres, more 
or less, with a dwelling-house, east on Ensign Stanley, west on Abraham Andruss, 
deed., north and south on highways. In June, 1705, Warner conveyed his house 
and lot to John Warner, son of Thomas, receiving in exchange lands at Judd's 
Meadow. Soon afterwards, he removed into the south part of the town, settling on 
or near Fulling-Mill Brook, sometimes called Daniel Warner's Brook. There he 
is known to have had a house in Aug. 1*708. He was once or twice fence viewer, 
but held no important public office. His first wife, Mary Andruss, died April 10, 
1*709. He d. Sept. 13, 1*713, being the last victim of the great sickness of that 
and the previous year. His widow, Mary, who was a daughter of Thomas Richason, 
was living in 1730. His sons, Samuel, Ebenezer and Abraham, settled at Judd's 
Meadow. 

THOMAS WARNER. 

He was probably younger than his brother John, Sen., of 
Waterbury and Daniel of Farmington. He was not a first 
subscriber, but probably took his deceased fathers propriety 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 199 

and allotments. He did not take eftectnal measures to secure 
his rights till after the forfeiture of Feb. 1682-3. 

Thomas Warner was a subscriber to Mr. Peck's settlement. 
lie held some unimportant town offices — was hayward, chim- 
ney viewer, surveyor. His house was on the eastern side of 
Bank street, where the Baptist Church now stands. The com- 
mittee voted in Nov. 1679, that his " siller " [cellar] might 
stand " without molestation according to an agreement made 
with Left. Samuel Steel." His lot contained, March 21, 1698-9, 
two acres and three quarters, and was bounded north on John 
Hopkins' house lot, east (before the above date) on John Rich- 
ards' house lot, " south on a lot which formerly belonged to 
the parsonage," west on highway. He conveyed the place, at 
the above date, to John Eichards, and received in exchange 
a house and three acres of land on the southwest side of the 
" mill path," where he afterwards lived. 

Thomas Warner m. Elizabeth , and d. Nov. 21, 1714. 

His sou Benjamin of New Haven, was administrator on his 
estate. The " heighrs " made an agreement with him, by 
which he was to take care of the widow, " providing for her 
a comfortable place to live in, and meat, drink, lodging, appa- 
rel, physic and nescessaries suitable, as long as she lives." As 
a compensation, they quit-claimed to him, the said Benjamin, 
all their interest in the estate of the deceased. 

Children : 

1. Elizabeth ; in. Samuel Chatterton. 

2. Benjamin. The first time his name is met Avith on the record is in 1698? 
He was accepted as the owner of a bachelor right about 1700. His father gave 
him a part of his home lot on the mill path, July 10, 1702. Soon after, when he 
could do it without jeoparding his £40 right, and when true men were most need- 
ed, he removed to New Haven. There he had a daughter, Desire, born Aug. 23, 
1704, and afterwards, Benjamin and Joseph. He is called Sen. on the list of pro- 
prietors, to distinguish him from Benjamin, the son of Ephraim Warner, who is 
termed Jr. — (The third chWd born before 1680 I have been unable to find.) 

4. John ; b. March 6, 1680-81, in Waterbury, as were the subsequent children. 
He was admitted as a £40 proprietor Dec. 23, 1701, and piuxhased, June, 1705, Dan- 
iel Warner's house and lot of five acres on the Farmington road. He was called 
tailor, that being his trade, to distinguish him from the other John Warners — John 
the son of John and John the son of Ephraim. Sept. 30, 1713, he deeded the 
land " with the fencing and building and fruit trees," which he bought of Daniel 
Warner, to Ebenezer Bronson for £11, and the same day left the town. The lot 
was afterwards called, after him, the " tailor lot." For some reason, he was 



200 HISTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 

considered as having forfeited his bachelor lot. He appears to have returned to 
Waterbury at a later day, and to have been an inhabitant in 1734-5. 

5. Mary ; b. Dec. 9, 1682, and d. June 7, 1705. 

6. Martha; b. April 1, 1684, and m. John Andruss, son of Abraham, Sen. 

7. Thomas ; b. Oct. 28, 1687, m. Abagail Barnes, and lived in Farmington. 

8. Samuel ; b. " March 16, 1690 ;" received a bachelor lot March 10, 1712, and 
was fence viewer and hay ward in 1714. He lived at Judd's Meadow, and died 
about 1741. 

9. Margaret; b. "March 16, 1693," and m. Ebenezer Eichason, son of Thomas. 

JOHN WELTOX. 

The family tradition is that he Avas originally from Saybrook. 
He was an early, but not a first settler of Farmington. 
He was one of the eighty-four proprietors of that town in 
1672, and a signer of the articles in 1674. He had fence in 
all the allotments except the first, and was probably in Matta- 
tuck as early as 1679. I do not learn that he was backward 
in complying with the conditions to which he had subscribed. 
Though not perhaps a leading man, he may have been a val- 
uable one notwithstanding. At any rate, he did not run away 
when he found that difficulty and danger were to be en- 
countered. He was one of the twenty-five that pledged them- 
selves to pay Mr. Peck's salary. • At one time (in 1691) he got 
upon the road of military distinction, but some how ended 
where he began, with the rank of corporal. He was select- 
man in 1708, and town constable for eight years between 1698 
and 1714. 

John Welton lived on the south side of West Main street, 
near where Mrs. Giles Ives' house stands. His house lot con- 
tained two acres, and was bounded, in 1687, east on Thomas 
Judd, Jr., west on Abraham Andruss, Sen.,* north and south 
on highway. In his old age, by deed dated March 2, 1726, 
lie conveyed to his eldest son John and to John's youngest son 
Oliver, (the latter to be " the proper heir," at the decease of 
his father,) his house and home lot, and his "three acer lot 
lying within the meadow fence," (next east of the old burying 
yard,) and another lot over the river, on condition that he the 
said John should take care of the father (then living with the 
son) and provide for him during his natural life. 

* A record, made in June, 1708, when there had been changes of ovvnersliip, 
east on Robert Scott, and west on Thomas Judd, Jr. 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 201 

John Welton's wife's name was Mary. They had six chihl- 
ren before they left Farmington ; or at any rate, the first one 
Lorn in Waterbury is called the seventh. He died June 18, 
1726, and his wife, Mary, Oct. 18, 1716. His son George was 
administrator. — Estate £136, lis. 

Children: — (I am nnable to find but five of the six born be- 
fore the father came to Waterbury.) 

1. Abigail; m. about 1691, Cornelius Bronson of Woodbury. She was living 
a widow in 1742. 

2. Mary; m. Aug. 17, 1692, John Richards. 

3. Elizabeth ; m. Thomas Griffin, and d. about the time of her father. 

4. John; m. "March 13, 1706," Sarah, d. of Ezekiel Buck, Jr. of Wethersfield, 
and d. April 3, 1738. His widow d. Sept. 5, 1751. He had a grant of a house lot 
from the proprietors as early as Jan. 1692-3, he to build and remain six years in 
the town. He had probably then just completed his twenty-first year. After- 
wai'ds, (in l707-8,) he was made a £40 proprietor. He was a weaver by trade ; 
surveyor in 1709 ; grave digger in 1726, 1727 and 1729, and wrote by proxy. He 
lived with his father, and probably improved the homestead after the death of the 
latter. 

5. Stephen; m. March 4, 1701-2, Mary, d. of Joseph Gaylord, and Jan. 28, 
1712-13, Joanna Wetmore''of Simsbury. He died March 13, 1713. He was ad- 
mitted a bachelor proprietor in due course, (March 26, 1699 ;) was chimney view- 
er in 1700, and collector of town and ministerial rates several times. His trade 
was that of a weaver. In Sept. 1701, he bought of Ephraim Warner a house and 
lot on the corner of Grove and Willow streets, (marked Francis H. Pratt.) After- 
wards, he resided on the corner of East and North Main streets, in a house he 
bought Feb. 2, 1703-4, of his father Gaylord. 

7. Richard; b. "March, 1680," (reputed the first male child of European pa- 
rents born in Waterbury,) and d. in 1755. His wife was Mary, d. of Stephen Up- 
son. He received bachelor accommodations in May, 1699 ; was (apparently) a 
builder by trade, a townsman in 1723, and a sergeant of militia. He first bought 
the house and a lot of three acres on the corner of Grove and Willow streets of 
his brother Stephen, for which he gave " a horse and a young stcar and a parcel 
of timber," the date of the purchase being Aug. 1, 1703. He afterwards, in 1711, 
" in consideration of a two year old heffer " conveyed the land (nothing is said of 
a house) to John Scovill. Before this, or in 1708, he bought the house of Jo- 
seph Gaylord, Jr., on Buckshill, to which place he removed. 

8. Hannah ; b. April 1, 1683, and m. Thomas Squire, Jr. She was living in 
1742. 

9. Thomas; b. Feb. 4, 1684-5 ; m. March 9, 1714, Hannah, d. of Josiah Alford, 
and d. April 19, 1717. He had two sons, both of whom d. young, and his estate 
was distributed in 1730 to his brothers and sisters. He received a bachelor lot in 
1705-6. 

10. George ; b. Feb. 3, 1686-7, m. Elizabeth , and d. Jan. 7, 1773.— Estate 

£311, 5s. When he was sixteen years of age, his father boimd him, for two years, 
to his brother Stephen to learn the weaver's trade. When the two years were com- 



ti._ 



202 HISTORY OF WATERBUE.T. 

pleted, Stephen was to give him " a loom and all things or geers suitable for worck- 
ing one sort of plain worck." George was the fifth of his father's sons who re- 
ceived bachelor privileges, he being accepted Jan. 1705-6. When his right was 
secured, he removed to Stratford, where he was residing in 1715. He returned 
to Waterbury before Dec. 1721, and afterwards lived near Scott's Mountain, 
(northeastern part of Watertown.) 

11. Else; b. Aug. 1690; m. Griffin and lived in Simsburv in 1733. 



CHAP TEE XIII. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS : MR. PECK'S MINISTRY. 

It is well understood that New England was settled by Con- 
gregationalists from Old England, who desired to get quit of 
a church establishment which they did not approve, and to 
set up religious worship and a church government which 
should accord with their peculiar views. By settling in this 
far distant country they hoped to escape the persecutions which 
non-conformity had brought upon them at home. They loved 
civil liberty, but chiefly as a means of securing freedom for 
themselves in the church. They sought to establish a govern- 
ment and a religion based on the Bible, and which should be 
administered, even in matters of detail, according to the Di- 
vine will. 

The colonists of Connecticut took good care to provide for 
the interests of religion. They were not slow in granting 
material aid. The committee for the settlement of Mattatuck, 
in accordance with a provision in the original articles, reserved 
three proprieties of £150 each, for public and pious uses. 
These were the three " great lots " mentioned in the early 
records. It was designed the minister should have one of 
them, " the mayger part of the inhabitants " to determine 
which. His was a larger interest than was allowed to any 
other individual. It was laro;er because the minister was a 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 203 

more dignified and important personage tlian any other. The 
propriety was entitled, from the first, to all the divisions and 
privileges of the other proprieties. 

Besides the provision which lias been mentioned, the 
committee, Nov. 27, 1679, 

Detcrniined that the hous lott of two acres lying att the east end of the town, 
abuttting northwardly on thomas warners hous lott and a peec of meadow and 
swamp coutainhig aboiight fifteen Acrs by estimation lying upon Steels brooke 
abutting vpon the north on Edmau [Edmund] Scoote Jun' on Thomas Judd 
Junor on the east and on a hill south and west — And a peice of land: containing 
by estimation thre acrs lying in the pasture land comanly so called: Shall be and 
remain for the occupation and improuement of the minister of the s'' tov.ne for 
euer without any altaratiou or disposall vse or improuement what soe eucr. 

The honse lot in the preceding extract was on the east side 
of Bank street, a little south of the present Baptist Church. It 
was called the " j)arsonage, " and was exchanged, without any 
right, by the town, Dec. 30, 1679, with Stephen Upson, (it was 
afterwards recorded as belonging to said Upson,) for a lot of 
two acres, lying further to the east and south, and in the rear 
of Upson's house lot. This rear lot was afterwards sequestered 
by special act of the town, as follows : 

April: 10: 1699 y« town by uoat did sequester y' lot at y^ east end of thomas 
w^orner Stephen ubson and richard porters hous lots to be and remain to y« 
pasnag. 

The lot of " three acres in the pasture land," afterwards 
called " the little pasture, " was the late " parsonage lot," 
lying between "Willow street and the old " Long Cove," 
through which the Hartford and Fishkill Eailroad was laid out. 

The first settlers of Waterbury were, in a majority of 
instances, members of Mr. Samuel Hooker's church and 
society of Farming-ton. In removing, they deprived them- 
selves, for the most part, of the ministrations of the Gospel. 
As they were a " go-to-meeting " people, they felt this to be 
a sore deprivation. They not only had no regular preaching, 
but they had nobody to ofiiciate at the burial of their dead, 
or to perform the ceremony of baptism. For many 3'ears 
they had to go to Farmington, twenty miles, to get their 
children baptized. They doubtless had occasional preaching. 
As they had a minister's house alread}^ built at the time 
Mr. Peck was invited to settle, the}'" probably had a minister 



204 HISTOKY OF WATEKBURY. 

residing with tliem a part of the time. But thej needed an 
ordained pastor of their own, and at the earliest moment, when 
their circumstances would allow it, they took steps to procure 
one. They gave a " call " to Mr. Jeremiah Peck of Green- 
wich, as follows : 

Att a meeting of the propiiators of watterbury march the eighteen: 1G89: 
[1690, N. S.] they did mianemussly: desir: m' Jerimy peecke sen' of grinage : 
to setle with them in the worcke of the minestry : Att the same meeting for the 
incoragmente of m' pecke aboue said : the propriators gaue him the houss built 
for the minester : with the horn lote : att his first entarans ther : with his famely : 

Att the same meeting the aboue said propriators of waterbury granted : m"' 
Jeremy peek : of grinag : the other alotments : or seuerall deuisions : belonging 
to the minesters lote so called: prouided: he cohabit with them four yeres : : and 
if the prouidens of god : so dispos that he shod dye befor the four yers be out itt 
shall fall to his heirs. 

At the same meeting the proprietors Granted to Caleb and Jeremiah Peck the 
two House Lotts Laid out to the great Lotts one buting westerly on Abraham 
Andruss his home Lott the other on ben Jones his home Lott and one of the 
Great Lotts of Medow with the Severall Divisions of upland upon Condition 
they build Each of them A tenentable house that Is to Say a house upon Each 
home Lott and dwell with ym four years. 

In order to provide for Mr. Peck's support, the proprietors 
entered into the following agreement. It bears no date, but is 
recorded in connection with the votes which gave the call, &c. 
It was probably signed at the same time, or soon after the 
votes were passed. There is evidence of this, (were any needed,) 
to be gathered from the names appended to it. 

In Considaration of settling the reuarant : M' Jerimy pecke in the worcke of 
the raenestry : amongst vs : in watterbury : we whos names : are vnder writen : 
doe ingage : to pay to the aforsaid : m' Jerimy pecke acording to our yerly grand 
leuy ecth: of us: our proportions of sixty: pounds by the yere: to be payed fifty- 
pounds in prouition pay : and ten pounds in wood and thus to doe yerly 
Robert porter : John brownson John newill 

Thomus Judd sen Samuel hickox Abraham andrews sen 

John standly Obadiah richards Daniell warner : 

John wilton sen pilip Judd beniamin barns 

Edman scoote sen Abram Andrews Thomus richardson 

Isaac brownson Thomus Judd Ju Timothy standly 

Joseph gayler Thomus warner : John hopkins : 

Daniel porter: Edman scoot Ju steuen vpson 

Thomus newell 

Mr, Peck accepted the invitation extended to him. He pro- 
bably began to preach, regularly, for the Waterbury people, 



niSTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 205 

as early as the summer of 1689, and removed into the 
town with his family, in the beginning of the following 
year. But his formal settlement was delayed for some time. 
There was a law in existence, at this date, which declared 
" that no person, within this colony, shall in any wise imbody 
themselves into church estate, without consent of the general 
court, and approbation of neighboring elders." In obedience 
to this requirement, the following petition w\is drawn up and 
presented : 

To the honored General Court our humble salutations presented : wishing all 
happiness may attend ye : we at least some of the Inhabitants of Waterbury 
being by the goodness of God, inclined and desirous to pronioue [promote] the 
concerns of the Kingdom of Christ in this place by coming into church order : do 
find : which we well approue of: that it hath been ordered by the honoured 
General Court: that no persons within this Colony shall in any wise imbody: 
themsclues into church estate without the consent of the General Court and appro- 
bation of the neighbour churches, wee humbly request the consent of the honoured 
General Court now assembling : that we may as God shall giue us Cause and asssist- 
ance proceed to the gathering of a Congregationall Church in this place, and for 
the approbation of neighbour Churches we desire it and intend to seek it. So 
being unwilling too long to prevent your Honors from other emergent occasions. 
we in breuity subscribe ourselues in all duty your humble Seruants in the name 
and behalf of the rest of our Brethren. 

Jeremiah Peck 

From Waterbury. 91. May. 12. Isaac Brounsoan 

The preceding document may be found in the first volume 
of Ecclesiastical Eecords, at Hartford. It is in Mr. Peck's 
hand writing, except the name of Isaac Bronson. It is written 
in a neat, almost elegant, hand. I have given, in another 
place, fac similes of the signatures with the date. Tlie Court's 
action on the petition may be seen as follows : 

May 1691. Mr. Peck and Isaac Brunson in the behalfe of the people of Watei" 

bury petitioning this court [&c. ] This Court doe freely Grant them their 

request, and shall freely encourage them in their beginnings and desire the Lord 
to give them good success therein they proceeding according to call therein. 

It was a practice among the early Congregationalists of 
Connecticut, when a church was to be " gathered," to select 
from among the brethren seven persons (males) who were term- 
ed the seven pillars. These chose their ofiicers, including the 
pastor, who was usually one of their number. After the church 
was organized, other members were admitted by vote who 



206 HISTORY OF WATEEBUET. 

took part in the proceedings. The "Waterbiiry clmrcli is un- 
derstood to have been formed after this method with seven 
male members, who were the pillars ;* bnt Dr. Trumbull 
states, in his History of Connecticut, that the method in ques- 
tion was peculiar to the churches of Kew Haven, Milford and 
Guilford ; " the churches in the other towns being gathered, 
by subscribing similar confessions of faith, and covenanting 
together in the same solemn manner, upon days of fasting and 
prayer. Neighboring Elders and churches were present on 
those occasions, assisted in the public solemnities, and gave 
their consent." 

At -svhat precise time the church of Waterbury was organ- 
ized, I have been unable to ascertain. Dr. Trumbull says, 
" August 26th, 1669," and Mr. Farmer, in his Genealogical 
Eegister, gives this as the date of Mr. Peck's ordination. 
Probably Mr. Parmer copies from Trumbull. I once supposed 
that " 1669 " was a misprint for 1689, and that the last was 
the true time of Mr. Peck's settlement. Others have enter- 
tained a similar opinion. This, however, cannot be the proper 
explanation. Some of the Waterbury people were admitted 
members of the Parmington church as late as March, 1690-91, 
and their children were baptized there down to April, 1691. 
Indeed, Mr. Peck and " the brethren," as we have already 
seen, did not get permission of the General Court to " embody 
themselves" till the May Session, 1691. In all probability 
the installation, or ordination, took place soon after, possibly 
" August 26th," as in Trumbull. I say installation, or ordination, 
for it is not quite certain that Mr. Peck had been previously 
ordained, though he was then nearly seventy years of age. It 
has been supposed that he was an ordained minister while in 
Greenwich, and as strong circumstantial evidence that he was 
so, the recorded fact is adduced that he was complained of 
about the time of his removal to Waterbury, by some of the 
people, in a formal manner, because of his " refusing to bap- 
tize their children."! If he had no authority to baptize, no- 
body could have complained of him for refusing, &c. And 

* Manuscripts of Bennet Bronson. 

t manuscript letter of Darius Peck, Esq., Hudson, N. Y., from whom I have received interest- 
ing information concerning his ancestor. I am also largelj' indebted to Mr. Judd of North- 
ampton. 



niSTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 20 T 

yet, if he liad aiitlioritj, wliy did he not baptize the chiklren 
of Waterbuiy, after lie began to preach, and before his formal 
settlement ? " No half-way covenant " question, it is believed, 
existed here, as there probably did in Greenwich. At any 
rate, the children w^ere those of professors, and yet were car- 
ried to Farmington for baptism. 

Again, it appears from the records of Greenwich that Mr. 
Peck performed the ceremony of marriage there as early as 
16S1 ; but the statute permitted no one to do this except magis- 
trates, commissioners, justices of the peace and ordained min- 
isters. 

Who the seven male members were I am unable to say with 
certainty, except that Isaac Bronson was one of them. Mr. 
Peck himself may have been another. There can be but little 
doubt that John Stanley and Thomas Judd, Sen. were also of 
the number. The other church members were Obadiah Rich- 
ards, Abraham Andruss, (cooper,) John Hopkins, (probably,) 
Joseph Gaylord, Thomas Judd, Jr., Benjamin Barnes, and 
Thomas Judd, son of William. All these, except Mr. Peck 
and John Hopkins, had belonged to Mr. Hooker's church of 
Farmington, the four last having been admitted within two 
years. There were no other know^n male members of churches. 
Thomas Judd, the son of William Judd, or Thomas Judd 
the smith, w^as the first deacon of the Waterbury church. So 
says his tomb-stone, still standing, and there are not sufficient 
reasons for doubting it. Still, there are some circumstances 
which render it improbable that he was appointed at the or- 
ganization of the church, in 1691. He did not become a 
church member till March 22d, of that year, he then being 
under twenty-nine years of age, as shown by the Farmington 
records. It is not probable that a man would have been cho- 
sen for deacon who had been a member of the church but a 
few months, especially if he was young in years as wxll as 
religious experience. Tliere were persons then living who had 
been long members, who were older and better known than 
Judd, some of whom, we may suppose, would have been se- 
lected in preference, had a deacon been chosen as early as 
1691. John Stanley, Thomas Judd, Sen., and Isaac Bronson, 
for aught that appears, were everyway qualified for a respon- 



208 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

sible place in the infant church. Why some one of tliem was 
not made a deacon at the outset, I am unable to saj. 

Thomas Judd, known as the son of William, or the smith, 
was thus called to distinguish him from his uncle, and his 
cousin of the same name. He is uniformly thus termed, 
whenever mentioned in the records, previous to 1696. Had 
he been deacon at an earlier date, he would most certainly, 
unless from carelessness, have been so denominated. Such an 
office, in those days, when titles were not so cheap as now, was 
no slight aifair for a young man. It could not with decency 
have been forgotten or overlooked. For the first time, Judd 
is called deacon, on the town records, March 27tli, 1696. This 
title was sufficiently distinctive, and afterwards, for many 
years, was applied to him with scarcely an exception, save in 
legal documents. At last, however, he won a more exalted 
honor. He became captain of the train-band, and the eccle- 
siastical was sunk in the military title. 

It appears quite probable then that Dea. Thomas Judd was 
not appointed to his office in the church till about 1695, four 
years after Mr. Peck's settlement. Why the church should 
so long have neglected to make this appointment, I am unable 
to explain. Similar instances of delay, however, were occa- 
sional, and may have been common. 

No sooner had Mr. Peck been settled in the ministry, than 
the want of a meeting house became painfully evident. The 
following is a petition, copied from the colonial records, pre- 
sented to the General Court for assistance. I am not aware 
that the petitioners got any help : 

[May it] please the honourable Gencrall Assembly to take into their serious con- 
sideration the Condition and Request of your humble and louing seruants the in- 
habitants of Waterbury as to our Condition the prouidence of God and that in 
seuerall ways hath brought us low by losses of the fruits of the earth, losses in our 
liuing stock : but especially by much sickness among us for the space of the last 
four years: we liue remotely * * * our affaires cost us much Charge, pains 
and hardships, as to our Petition and that which we desirest is your encouraging 
and assisting of us we hope in the work : yet too heauy for us : viz the building 
of an house conuenient for us to assemble in for the worship of God such an house 
we doe more and more find very great need of [&c.] much we could mention by 
way of persuasion : but we are preuented of time and we hope that a few words 
to the wise will be sufficient, it may be considered that we haue been often at 
Charges in sending forth horsmen for tlie timely discouery of an approaching ene- 




i.'y^PAj ny /t..i-pi^^ hk 



■:NaHA],7D »y /^a/^jf.l sahiwm 



^^^c i_y^z^ 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 209 

mie which hath been or might haue been some safeguard to our neighbours in 
other Townes, for this our Scouting we haue had publique recompense, we also 
haue had farr more trouble than some other Towns in the Colonie by the Souldiers 
passing to and fro and their often entertainments with us which hath occasioned 
much expense of our time [&c.] We also are anformed that we shall not be the 
first that haue publique assistance in the like work in this Colonie we hope right 
worthy Sirs that you that are the Patrons of this Christian Commonwealth ; will 
be pleased to giue us further encouragement to build God's house — the encourage- 
ment which we doe particularly petition for is that our Publique rates may be 
giuen to us for the space of the four next ensuing years, we find in holy Writ 
that some whose spirit God hath Stirred up haue been famous in promoting such 
a work: as Dauid and Solomon, we hope and trust we shall haue a placid return 
fro~ our Worthies upo~ whom our eyes are: So we remain your humble and 
needy Petitioners and Seruants — From Waterbury Anno Domini — 91, October. 7. 
In the name and on the behalf of the rest of our inhabitants, 

John: Hopkins ) m 

' V Townsmen. 

Thomas Judd ) 

Under the greatest discouragements, the Waterbury people 
went on with their enterprise of buikling a meeting house ; 
but they made slow progress. It was a serious work, and they 
were obliged to resort to various expedients. 

May 11 1694 y« town by uoate agree to use or improue y^ money y* now is or 
here after shall be due for wild horses y' are sould in y^ town — we say to improue 
it for y« helping build y« meeting hous and to stand by y« oficers y' sell them and 
hereafter to a low thos y' .bring in such horses y* one half. 

Tlie wild horses referred to in the preceding extract were 
those that were found running wild without known owners, 
and which were occasionally caught and brought in.* 

I am unable to say when the new meeting house was finish- 
ed, or so far finished that it could be occupied ; but probably 
soon after the date of the town action concerning wild horses. 
It stood on the Green in front of the house marked on the map 
William H. Scovill, now owned by Dr. P. G. Kockwell, near 
the spot where the two next succeeding Congregational houses 
were placed. It was a small building without glass or gallery, 
suited to the humble circumstances of its projectors. It had 
doors upon the east, west and south sides, three in all. 

Mr. Peck was an old man when he became the minister of 



* The law required that every horse two years old should be branded with the town mark by 
the town barnder. The brand for Waterbury was R. Thomas Judd, smith, was the first record- 
ed town brander. 

14 



210 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

Waterbuiy. In a few years, his health broke down, and he 
was nnable to preach. He was not well enongh to oflficiate 
in baptism as early as Jnne, 1697. Afterwards a minister 
was hired ; bnt Mr. Peck continued the pastor till his death, 
June 7th, 1699, at the age of 77. But few memorials remain 
of him during his residence in Waterbury. Appearances, 
however, indicate that he was a man of worth, and devoted 
to his people. If a minister's success is measured by the ad- 
ditions to his church, his was not great. There wxre but few 
accessions during his life, and for several years afterwards. It 
was a time of embarrassment and distress, as already related. 
The peaceful virtues of religion are not wont to prosper when 
the state is in jeopardy and men are suffering in their material 
interests. As a general rule, it is not the tendency, however 
much it should be, of war and worldly calamity, of sickness 
and bodily suffering, to improve the heart, or mend the life. 

Jeremiah Peck, according to Mather's Magnalia, was grad- 
uated at Harvard College, but his name is not upon the gen- 
eral catalogue of 1854. Pie was in Guilford, either preaching 
or keeping school, in 1656, (before which time, no trace of 
him has yet been found,) and married, Nov. 12th of that year, 
Johannah, daughter of Mr. Robert Kitchell, a prominent citi- 
zen of Guilfoi-d, (afterwards of Newark, N. J.) His son Samuel 
was born there Jan. 18th, 1659. In Jan. 1660, he was invited 
to take charge of the Collegiate School at New Haven, his 
father being at the time one of the trustees and the business 
agent. The following is an extract from the colonial record 
of New Haven : 

June 26 1660 It was agreed that Mr. Peck now at Guilford should be school- 
master and that it should begin in October next when his half year expires there he 
is to keep the school to teach the scholars Latin Greek and Hebrew and fit them 
for the College and for the salary he knows the allowance from the Colony is £40 
a year. 

This school is now called the Hopkins Grammar School, in 
consequence of the bequest of Gov. Hopkins. Besides the 
£4:0, Mr. Peck had the use of a house and some land. He 
probably began to teach in Oct. 1660, and continued until the 
middle of the next year. May 29th, 1661, the colonial record 
of New Haven says, " Mr. Peck the schoolmaster propounded 



HISTORY OF WATERBUYY. 211 

16 questions about the school which the Coiirt answered and 
Mr. Peck seemed to be very well pleased." 

In Sep. 1661, Mr. Peck w^as again in Guilford, and while 
there, in the fall of 1661, received an invitation to preach in 
Saybrook. He entered into an agreement with the Saybrook 
people, Sep. 25th, 1661, by which he was to have £100 settle- 
ment in lands in fee and £55 in a house and lot, the last to 
revert to the town, provided he removed within five years. He 
was also promised a salary of £60 per annum, two firkins of 
butter to go towards it, the rest to be paid in corn and flesh at 
current prices, his maintenance to be increased if necessary. 

Some have supposed that Mr. Peck must have been ordain- 
ed at Saybrook. The agreement he entered into, bis £100 
settlement and his building a house, look like arrangements 
for a permanent residence, and render the supposition plausible. 

After a time, the Saybrook people became dissatisfied with 
their minister, and Mr. Peck addressed to them the following 
communication : 

Anno Domini 63 feb. 2 
Respected and loving ffriends the Inhabitants and planters of Seabroke I under- 
stand and that from divers [sources] that there is much Dissatisfaction with 
Reference to myselfe in respect of my preceding in the Ministry at least to a set- 
tlement and that there are desires in many to provide themselves with a more 
able Help: I do freely leave myself to the providence of God and the Thots of his 
people: and so far as I am any wajes concerned herein I doe leave the Towne 
wholly to their own Liberty to provide for themselves as God shall direct : and 
with respect to laying aside the future Term of years expressed in the Covenant 
as also of laying me aside from an Employment of so great a concernment I do 
desire that these Things may be duly considered and dealt tenderly in that I may 
not be rendered useless in further service for God : altho I am unworthy to be im- 
proved so I am yours in what I may as God shall please to direct and enable. 

Jeresiiah Peck.* 

The controversy with Mr. Peck was settled Jan. 30th, 1665, 
(1665-6,) the town confirming and " giving him full possession 
of his accomodation." He appears to have left soon after, the 
town purchasing the house which he had built, for his suc- 
cessor, Mr. Buckingham. 

In 1661, Mr. Peck was concerned with others in the pur- 
chase of the Indians of a large tract of land between the Rari- 
tan and Passaic rivers in New Jersey, on a part of which the 

* stiles' Itinerary, Vol. Ill, p. 122, Yale College Library. 



212 niSTOEY OF WATERBURT. 

city of Elizabetlitown now stands. In the next year, 16G5, tlie 
nnion of the Connecticut and New Haven colonies took 
pUice. Mr. Peck was one of those who perseveringly opposed 
the union. A party of dissatisfied persons, chiefly from Bran- 
ford, Guilford and Milford, headed by Mr. Pearson, determin- 
ed to remove. A committee was sent out to view lands on 
the Passaic, who made a purchase at l^ewark. A plantation 
covenant was entered into by the intended emigrants, which 
was " subscribed from time to time, until the removal, which 
happened June 2i, 1667." The name of Kev. Jeremiah Peck, 
of Guilford, stands fourth on the list of subscribers. 

Mr. Peck removed to Newark in 1666 or early in 1667. He 
does not appear to have ofliciated regularly as a minister at 
Newark, or anywhere in New Jersey. In 1672, he and others 
purchased of the Indians a tract of land, now the western part 
of the town of Greenwich, over the people of which town he 
was invited to settle as a minister. He declined the call, but 
in 1678, it was renewed, and he accepted. In the same year, 
he removed to Greenwich. 

In consequence of Mr. Peck's poor health, the Waterbury peo- 
ple obtained, in 1698, the assistance of Kev, John Jones. He 
preached seven sabbaths, and for this service the town voted 
Nov. 14th, 1702, that he should have six pounds, to be raised 
by tax. From this delay of payment, we may infer that our 
ancestors, whatever other virtues they may have had, M'ere not 
prompt in discharging debts. 

After Mr. Jones left, Eev. John Keed preached, for a time. 
His performances pleased the people, and as Mr. Peck was 
not expected to recover, an invitation was given him to settle, 
as appears from the following town vote : 

Febeurary : 8: 1698-9 the town hauing by a comity giuen Mr. John Reed a Call 
to y" worck of y* ministrey amongst us aesept what they haue don in it and do now 
renew our call to him in order to y« worck of ye ministrey a mongst us 

Att ye same meeting the town granted to y« ministrey a salary of 50P by y* 
yeir prouition pay and lOP in wood and y® use of y° pasnage lands y® town for y« 
incuragement of Mr iohn Reed if he aesept promis to giue him 20P ayeir for too 
yeirs to be payd in labor and 1ft Judd deac Judd Ens Standly and srg brunson 
was chosen to present our proposals to s"* Mr. Reed and treat him consrning y* 
same 

Att ye same meeting y^ town granted to y^ minister y' should settell and be an 
ordained officer in y« church after he has bin ordained too yeirs y® whole 



niSTOKY OF WATERBURY. 213 

of y* great lot with y« proprieti to be his own and to build him a hous 
36 or 38 foots long and 19 foot wide [;] build two chimbleys from y^ ground a 
chamber chimbley [;] make or dig and ston a sellar clabbord y® hous and shingel 
it [;] make one end of y® hous fit to liue in [;] which hous is to be y^ ministers 
on ye same conditions y^ land is 

On the 15tli of May, 1699, the town voted to give five acres 
of upLand to the minister that should settle, and July 10th, 
following, renewed the call which had been given to Mr. 
Reed. At length, Mr. E.. declined the invitation, thinking, 
probably, that he could " do more good " somewhere else. 
But the people persevered, Mr, Peck being now dead. 

Att a town meeting august: 21: 1699 deac Thomas Judd was chosen a commity 
to indeviour by himself and y® best counsell he can take to get one to help us in 
y^ worck of y^ ministry and to bring a man amongst us upon probation in order 
to scttellment if he can 

Sep: 12^: 1699 John hopkins was chosen a comity with ye Deac for getiug a 
minister 

In the mean time, the people went on with their enterpi-ise 
of building a house for " y*^ minister yt should settell." 
The old one had been given to Mr. Peck, and a new clergy- 
man would want suitable shelter. A committee, consisting of 
Deac. Judd, John Hopkins and Benjamin Barnes had already 
been appointed to su23erintend the w^ork. The extracts below 
refer to this enterprise : 

March lOd: 1699 [1698-9] y^ town granted a Rate of 8^ on ye pound for Carry- 
ing on y* work of y* ministers hous to be Raysd on ye present leauey acsepted 
or proued at y® last October court in: 98: each man to do his proportion in worck and 
he y' fayls haueing his worck appoynted or called to worck by ye commity shall 
pay in prouition pay or y' which is equeuilent 

lun: 20d: 1699: the town mad choys deac thomas Judd to procure nayls for ye 
clabord and shingling ye ministers hous and ye town ingag to pay for them in 
money or y' which is equiuelent where he byes them 

Att ye same meeting deac Judd John Hopkins and benjamin barns was chosen 
a comity for ye carrying on y* worck of ye ministers hous to ye perfoting ye worck 
ye town has promised to do to it 

October: Tid: 1698: ye town granted a Rate of a halfpeney on ye pound to be 
Rayed on y® new leuey which rate is to be payd in currant siluer money or y' 
which is equiuilent bareing its own charg to ye merkit for to bye nayls and glass 
for ye ministers hous* 



* I find at the beginning of the first book of town meetings what appear to be copies of sub- 
scription papers to furnish in part the means to pay for the work and materials for the minis- 
ter's house. They bear no date, but they doubtless belong to the time of which I am writing, 
(169a.) John Bronson, Joseph llickox, Samuel Hickox and John Scovill, subscribers, must have 



214 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

At first it was proposed to place tlie new minister's house on 
the house lot which had belonged to John Carrington, deceas- 
ed, now owned by Green Kendrick, and to exchange for it the 
lot in the rear of Stephen Upson's house lot. Afterwards,, 
however, it was decided to set it on the " great lot," so called, 
which is now the corner of West Main and Willow street s 
owned and occupied by Mrs. Ambrose Ives. The following 
vote, relating to this subject, was passed April 10th, 1699 : 

[The town agreed to] take of [off] y« obligation y» was layed on y» hous lot 
at y« west end of y^ town lying by Eobard Scotts hous lot and giue y» sd lot to 
ye minister alotment and set y^ minister on it. 

I know not what the obligation was which is referred to in 
tliis vote, unless the lot spoken of had previously belonged to 
the school propriety. 



been the sons of the original proprietors of the same name. Possibly the subscriptions for glass 
and nails may have been rendered unnecessary and void by the half penny tax. The names on 
it are not crossed, though those on the other are, (with the exception of Obadiah Richards and 
Israel Richason,) the cross indicating payment. 
Wheat for ye mason to pay after harvest 

Samll Standly half a bushill wheat thomas hikcox half a bushill 

Serg brunson half a bushill isriel richason half a bushill 

isriel richason one peclc Joseph gaylord jur half a bushill 

deac judd one bushill obadiah richards half a bushill 

John scouell half a bushill wm hikcox half a bushill 

ben barnes half a bushill benjamin worner half a bushill 

Ensign Standly half a bushill John welton half a bushill [altered to one 

tho Warner half a bushill bushell] 

John welton half a bushill setphen ubson half a bushell [altered to one 

sam. hikcox half a bushill bushell] 

Joseph hikcox half a bushill 

Wheat for nayles and glass to finish ye ministers hous 
John Richards one bushill John brunson half a buss 

obadiah richards half a bus John hopkins half a bush 

ensign Standly half a bus Jeremiah peck 

Left judd half a buss John Scouell half a bushill 

serg brunson half a busshill 



HISTOKT OF WATEKBUBY. 215 



CHAPTEPw XIY. 



ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS: MR. SOUTHMAYD'S MINISTRY. 

The committee chosen to procm-e a minister, after Mr. 
Eeed left, were successful. They obtained Mr. John South- 
mayd of Middletown. As early as N'ovember 2d, 1699, he 
had satisfied the people of Waterbury that he was the man 
for them. He was not yet prepared for a settlement, but he 
continued to preach. lie received several invitations before 
he yielded to the solicitations of the people. The progress of 
the negotiations is explained by the extracts below. The pro- 
vision made for his support may also be seen: 

Nouembr: 2d: 1699: y* town mad choyc of Left thomas Judd Ensign timo. 
Standly deac thomas Judd srg Isaac brunson John hopkins a commity to treat 
[with] mr. John southmeat furder in order to y' worek of y« ministrey a mongst us 
and for his incuragement in order to his settellment amongst us in ye worck of y^ 
ministrey to ofer him wha.t y* town haue granted to y^ ministrey 

Att y« same meeting y« town granted to y* ministrey 40 pounds in labour with 
what is dun al ready for fencing and cleareing y« hous lot and other lands for y® 
aduantag of y* minister y' shal settell amongst us 

December: 18d: 1699 y^ Town granted to mr. John southmeat for his worck in 
y« ministrey amongst us for what we haue had and if he continue amongst us till 
y« first of march next a rate of too penc on y® pound according to our gran leuey 
and grain to pay to him wheat at 5s pr booshill Ry at 3s indian corn 2s 6d poorck 
3d pr pound beeff at 2d | pr pound all to be good and merchantable 

lun: 24d: 1700 Wheras y® town hauing had sum taste of _mr. southmeets minis- 
trey declare themselves satisfied and are willing to acsept him as theyr minister to 
despenc y® word of god amongst them and desire y' y® church in due season 
should settell him in gosple order amongst them 

Spt: 23: 1701 samll hikcox and willyam hikcox was chosen a commity for to 
gather y» 20P granted to y^ ministrey in worck out of which by y^ town order 
they are to macke a well for mr. southmaid and any Refuseing to do his propor- 
tion when cal there to by this act ye town impour ye commity to distrain y^ es- 
tate of such persons for ye payment of his just due they glueing men seasonable 
worning 

Syt ye; 15: — I70o ye town granted mr. Southmaid his hous and lands and pro- 
priaty in lands to be his own when he is an ordained officer in y* church here 
onely on these conditions y' if he leafe y* town before ye too yeirs are out after 



216 HISTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 

his ordination then to return to y« town again but if he dy here in y« time to be 
liis heirs. 

Octobr y« 7"^: 1703 Serg Izaac brunson thomas Judd iun' and Edman Scott 
was chosen to prouide what was needful for y« entertaining ye elders and mesen" 
gers for ye ordaining Mr Southmaid [ * * ] they [to] keep a fayr account of it 
and giue it to y* townsmen that it may be payd in y« town Ratt 

Early in 1704, there was unmistakable evidence tliat Mr. 
Soathmajd was about to yield to the importunities of his peo- 
ple and consent to be ordained. Five pounds had been 
granted him " in speci," in addition to the salary which had 
been offered him ; but now it was ordered that the vote 
which gave the five pounds addition should " be canseled," (a 
vote was canceled by crossing it with a pen,) and, at Mr. 
Southmayd's suggestion, that ten pounds should be given him 
in labor, " to be payd according to men's gran leauey annual- 
ly." Benjamin Barnes, Sen., and Stephen Uj)son, Sen., were 
added to the committee for "treating with mr. southmaid." 

March: ig"" — 1704: y« town desired their commity chosen to treat mr. south- 
maid for a settellment amongst us in ghosple order to proceed to obtaine an ordi- 
nation of mr. southmaid as soon as may be with conueniencie 

Mr. Southmayd was at last settled over a church of twelve 
male members and the people of the town. Dr. Trumbull 
gives, as the date of his ordination. May 12th, 1705, which is 
presumed to be correct. Why the ceremony was delayed so 
long may be perhaps conjectured. The truth is, Waterbury, 
at that time, was not a very inviting field of labor. The peo- 
ple were few in number and poor. Some of their best men had 
died. Others had run away. They had not yet recovered 
from the effects of the great flood. They were upon the bor- 
ders of civilization and in the midst of an Indian war. A 
gloom had settled over the prospects of the town. JSTo wonder 
a young minister should hesitate and procrastinate. Besides, 
pastors, in those days, were "settled for life," or something ap- 
proaching it. They were not permitted to indulge in roving 
habits, or to seek frequently other and "wider" (more con- 
spicuous ?) fields of labor. They did not consider themselves 
at liberty to leave their flocks except for weighty reasons. 

Mr. Southmayd was settled on a salary of £50 in provision 
and £10 in labor, the same which was paid Mr. Peck and offered 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 217 

to Mr. Reed, except the first ministers were to have wood in- 
stead of labor. This may seem but a small salary, in the eyes 
of the present generation ; but the truth is, in consideration of 
the times and the circumstances, it was a large sum. Few peo- 
ple can boast of having made greater sacrifices for the support 
of a regular ministry than the early inhabitants of Waterbury. 
In the midst of their calamities, numbering only about thirty 
families, they settled Mr. Peck, gave him a house, provided 
for his support, erected a meeting-house and a second dwell- 
ing-house for his successor, made provision for Mr. South- 
mayd's maintenance, gave him £40 in labor to fence and clear 
his home lot, &c., and a £20 " ratt in worck," besides con- 
tributing many " extras " not easy to enumerate, all in the 
space of a few years ; while, at the same time, extraordinary 
expenses were incurred for building forts, maintaining scouts 
and looking after the enemy. I doubt if the people of the 
present day would as patiently submit to equal privations to 
secure the benefits of religious teaching. ♦ 

A modification was made, by the agreement of the parties, 
in Mr. Southmayd's salary, Dec. 14, 1710, and the prices 
which provisions were to bear were fixed, as appears by the 
following town action : 

The town ablig themselus to pay mr. soutlimaid ten pound in wood at 8s per 
cord and fiftey pounds in prouison pay: : uis [viz] whet fine shilings pr busel ry at 
3s per busel Indian corn at two shilings six pens per besel: porke at three pens per 
pound all to be good and raarchantabul: befe and flaxe and other pay to be at a 
prise as mr southmaid and the party consarnd shal agre: : also mr southmad shal 
not be abligd to take aboue one thurd part of his rat in Indian corn and if any 
man sc caus to pay any part of [the] rat in mony it shal be acsepted at two thirds: 

Ech man Is hereby obliged to pay his rat yerly by the furst of febrywary 

[Same date] that artical too thurds In mony to be of no fors: but other ways as 
the party consard and mr southmayd shal agre 

Jan. 9, 1118-19 It was agreed that the ministery rate shall be sixty pound In 
mony for the yeare 1Y18 and If any pay In prouison it shall be exsepted at follow- 
ing prises wheat at six shillings ry at foure shillings ingun corn at three shillings 
and sixpence a bushull to be marchantabul pork at 3 pence a pound flax at eaight 
pence a pound 

In 1720, the minister was to have " £60 as money," wheat 
at 5s., rye at 3s., corn at 2s. 6d., and ten pounds in wood, at 
half a crown a load for oak and three shillings for walnut. 
" Said sixty pound shall be paid or they [the town] will do 



218 HISTOKY OF WATEEBURY. 

tlieire endeauer that it shall be paid by inarch next insuing 
the date heare of." 

Mr, Sonthniayd's salary, in 1Y29, was raised to " seventy 
five, pounds in money," one seventh or eighth part of it, if de- 
livered by the middle of January, to be received in wood, at 
such price as the parties might agree on. In 1730, it was 
raised to "the just sum of one hundred pounds in current 
money of 'New England."* In 1733, the town, after having 
at first refused to pay more than £80, agreed to give £90 
money, wheat at 8s., rye at 5s. 6d., Indian corn at 4s., pork at 
6d. per pound for that weighing two hundred pounds and forty- 
seven shillings per hundred for that weighing less. During the 
remainder of Mr. Southmayd's ministry, the salary varied from 
ninety to one hundred pounds. 

In 1738, in consequence of declining health, Mr. Southmayd 
asked for a dismission from his peoj)le. The following com- 
munication, expressing his desires, was laid before the town in 
town meeting : 

To the Deacons and Townsmen In Waterbury to communicate to the Church 
and Inhabitants of sd Town. 

Beloved Brethren and Neighbors I the Subscriber being under great Difficulty 
and Infirmity of Body and it being such as I fear Will never wear off, but In- 
crease and Grow upon me, makes ray Care and Concern very Burthensome and 
Distressing So that the publicke work I am engaged In Is too much for me and 
having served you under very great difficulty now almost two years and being 
Quite descouraged as to getting well and finding that a sedentary life is very De- 
structive to my health and being very far advanced in years and willing and 
desirous to Retire from my Publick work In the ministry In which I have been 
with you About 38 years to the best of my Ability and am now Desirous to 
Live more privately, I take this opportunity for these reasons and many more 
which might be mentioned to signify to you that I am willing and heartily De. 
sirous that you would get some person can affect and pitch upon to come among 
you to preach the Gospel here and to Be with you in order to a Settlement as 
soon as conveniently may be In the work of the ministry and I desire you would 
be as Speedy In the thing as may be for I think I cannot serve you any Longer, 
which Request I hope you will be most Ready and forward to comply with and 
oblige your friend and Distressed minister, who Sincerely Desires your welfare 
and prosperity both Spiritual and temporal and his own ease and freedome. 
Desiring the continuance of your prayers for me I subscribe my Self your well 
wisher John Southmayd. 

* In 1731, Mr. Southmayd gave a writing, dated Dec. 26th, which is recorded, by which, in 
view of the burdens of the town, he agreed to " acquit and discharge the town from all the rates 
that were granted, due, owing and payable to [him for his] labour among them from the year 
1099 to the year 1723," Inclusive. 



HISTOKY OF "SVATEEBURY. 219 

111 reply, tlie town Yoted to call another minister, bnt ex- 
pressed a wish that Mr. Southmayd might continue to othciate 
" as far as he should be able." At the same time, a commit- 
tee was appointed, consisting of Mr. Isaac Bronson, Dea. Joseph 
Lewis and Thomas Clark, " to call a minister to preach the 
Gospel in order to a settlement." In this proceeding, however, 
they were required to " take the advice of the Eev. Mr, South- 
mayd and neighboring elders of the County, and proceed ac- 
cordingly." On the fourth of September following, they were 
instructed "to apply themselves to the Keverend Mr. Saml. 
Whittlesey, Mr. Joseph Koyes, Mr. Samuel Hall and Mr. Isaac 
Stiles for direction as to a suitable person to be applied to." 

There are no facts to show at what time Mr. Southmayd's 
official connection with the town was dissolved ; but it ap- 
pears to have been soon after his communication requesting 
a dismission, and before Sept. 4, 1738. He had an unset- 
tled claim against the town. Some question regarding this 
was submitted to " the Association convened at Meriden in 
Wallingford in May," (1738.) In pursuance of a recommen- 
dation by this body, Mr. Southmayd made a proposal (Sept. 4, 
1738) for a settlement of his claim. He proposed that the 
town should pay him one hundred pounds in money on or be- 
fore the first of March, 1740, " separate from any other grant 
already made," and that he should have the use of the little 
pasture during his life. If this ofler was rejected, he express- 
ed a willingness to submit the question "to some indiflferent 
persons to say what is just and reasonable to be done, [&c.] and 
abide by their judgment." 

The town decided, " by a full vote," to pay the one hun- 
dred pounds. Before, however, the money became due, or in 
January, 1740, certain persons, " calling themselves church- 
men," remonstrated against paying it. This remonstrance was 
signed by fifteen individuals. 

Thus was commenced, in an open form, a controversy be- 
tween the friends of Congregationalism and Episcopacy in 
Waterbury, and which ended, ere long, in confusion and dis- 
memberment. So determined was the opposition to the one 
hundred pound vote that Mr. Southmayd did not insist on his 



220 HISTORY OF WATERBCRY. 

legcal rights, and the money was never paid. He, however, 
retained the use of the " little pasture." 

Rev. John Southmayd graduated at Harvard College in 
169 T. Little is known of him before he came to Waterbury. 
There is an anecdote, however, of his college life, which used 
to be related by the late Professor Hedge of Harvard. It runs 
thus : — Southmayd prepared a chair which was so constructed 
that when an unsuspecting person sat down in it, it suddenly 
gave way. When the Freshman class was entered, he would 
invite them, one at a time, to his room, (where his fellows had 
gathered,) and offer them the treacherous chair. All but the 
discomfited freshmen of course enjoyed the laugh. In the 
same class with Southmayd there was one by the name of 
Reed who was mischievous, and one Collins who was dissolute. 
A wag, to hit off the three, composed some lines which ran 
thus : — 

Bless'd is the man who hath not lent 

To wicked Reed his ear, 
Nor spent his hfe as ColHus hath, 

Nor sat in Southmayd's chair.* 

Mr. Southmayd was chosen town and proprietors' clerk in 
Dec. 1721, and was continued in the ofiice till his death, thirty- 
five years. He wrote a round, plain, and in earlier life, an ele- 
gant hand, contrasting pleasantly with the execrable chirogra- 
phy of some of his predecessors. Its jet-black characters still 
look fresh. All who have occasion to consult the records, must 
have their hearts drawn out in afiection for the accomplished 
clerk. 

Soon after Mr. Southmayd's dismission from his pastoral 
charge, or in ITil, he was appointed a justice of the peace. He 
was again appointed in 1Y47, and held the ofiice till his death. 
He was a justice of the quorum from 1742 to 1746 inclusive, 
and a deputy to the General Court from 1740 to 1744 inclu- 
sive, and again in 1754. He was much respected, and occu- 
pied a large space in the history of the town of his adoption. 
Intelligent and judicious, his fellow townsmen honored him 
and deferred to him. They gave him many testimonials (such 

* Manuscript letter from Rev. Daniel S. Southmayd, Concord, N. H. 1829. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 221 

as thej had to bestow) of their confidence and esteem. His 
honorable decent, at a time when family was of more account 
than at present, assisted to give him character. He was one 
of the largest landholders of the town, having become so by 
2)iirchase as well as by division. His patrimonial estate was 
large. As an evidence of his extraordinary wealth, it is stated 
that he brought from Middletown, after his father's death, fifty 
pounds in gold and silver — ^a sum which, had it been laid out 
in the purchase of the best lands of the plantation, at the low 
jjrice then current, would, it was thought, have proved ruin- 
ous to the town, by giving the owner almost a monopoly of 
the soil.* 

John. Southmayd died Nov. 14, 1755, aged seventy-nine 
years and three months, outliving all his children except 
Esther, and all the original proprietors, so called. He made 
a will appointing liev. Mark Leavenworth his executor. He 
names, as his legatees, Esther Starr, Susanna Bronson's children, 
Anna Bronson, and his two daughters-in-law, "Meliscent Judd, 
my son John's wife that was, and Hannah Southmayd, my son 
Daniel's widow." He gave £10 to the first church of Water- 
bury, " to be ordered and disposed of by the pastor and dea- 
cons of said church in what way and method they shall think 
proper and best." His slaves he disposed of in the following 
manner : — 

4. My negro man Sampson and my negro Girl Fillis, if they be faithful, careful 
and industrious in helping to bring up my Grand children, William, Samuel, Anna, 
John and Daniel Southmayd, till the youngest be twelve years of age, then they 
may be free and live with any of my children they shall choose, or any other 
person, and if they live with any of mine, and should live to be a charge the 
charge to be levied out of my estate, except it should appear that those they have 
lived with have been considerably profited by them. 

The inventory of Mr. Southmayd's estate amounted to 
£1,997, 14s. 8d. The homestead w^as valued at £133, 6s. 8d. ; 
library at £9, 6s. 4d. ; $250 propriety at £12, 10s. ; 2 brown 
cows, £4, 16s. 8d. ; 1 young bay horse, £5, 16s. 8d. ; 12 bushels 
rye, £1, 14s. Od. ; 4 bushels Indian corn, £0, 6s. 8d. ; 8 bushels 
oats, £0, 6s. 8d. ; 18 sheep, £3 ; Sampson and Phillis' time 

* Manuscripts of B. Bronson. 



222 HISTOKY OF WATEKBURT. 

" during the time of the will," £40. He owned in all 818 
acres of land, appraised at £1,471, 3s. 7d. The standard of 
value appears to have been lawful currency, which, at this 
period, was at least eight times more valuable than old tenor 
currency. 

Several alterations and improvements of the meeting house 
were made during Mr. Southmayd's ministry, for the better 
accommodation and the increasing number of the people. 

[Dec. 13, 1*708] the town granted to seueral of the young men Uberty to buld 
a small seat or galerly in the meeting hous for themselfs to sit in it not [to] prug- 
odish the town or hous 

[At the same meeting the] town agree there should be a bem put up for a gal- 
lery at the west end of the meeting hous upon the town charg 

Febry 1: 1708-9: the town grant libutey to mr. Southmayd to alter and inlarg 
the set: at the west end of the pulpit: 

[Dec. 14, 1*713] the town agreed that there shal be a galery bult at won end 
of the meeting hous: and that the dors and windows be repaired 

October the 26 — 1715 the Town Granted a rate of half apeny on the pound as 
mony for to purches glass* for the meeting hous and the ouer plus for furder 
repairing of said hous 

March 7 — 1716 it was acted by uoat that there shold be ateen [a ten] pound 
rate made oute to be lade out about the galliry of the meeting hous and the sd 
rate is to be paid in prouition pay, wheat at 4 shilling per boshill and rie at too 
and eight pence pr booshill inden corn at 2 shiUiugs and flax seuen jienc pr 
pound 

Desembr the 19(1716 at the same meeting it was acted by uoate to lay the 
foundation of the galiries of the meeting hous that is all three sides of the sd 
meeting hous 

Dec 16, 1718, " agreed by note to giue to jeremiah peck fifteen pound for what 
work he has dun to the meeting hous alrady and only further he is to finish the 
stairs and macke four window frames for the same money 

As the result of these movements, it appears that a gallery 
was put up at the west end of the meeting house for the pur- 
pose of making more seats, particularly for " the young men ;" 
that the house was adorned with glass windows ; that the doors 
were repaired and the building generally remodeled (in mod- 
ern phrase) to suit it to the improved tastes of the times. All 
this seems to have been done at an expense to the town of 
fifteen pounds, Jeremiah Peck being the carpenter or con- 
tractor. 

* Up to this time, the house appears to have been unglazed. The glass of those days was 
diamond shaped. 



HISTOEY OF WATERBURT. 223 

Tlie house now had additional seats, and it was found expe- 
dient that it shonld be newly seated. It was customary with 
our fathers to go through with this formality periodically, even 
in the absence of special occasions like the present. The first 
seating of which there is a record was in 1702. At such times, 
the seats were all classified, and each person's place assigned 
him according to the rule of rank which had been agreed 
upon. Rank was determined partly by age and partly by list or 
taxable estate. The following extracts from the record of toAvn 
meetings show the nature of the proceedings on this subject, 
after the alteration and repairs had been made. 

December 1-4 1719 it was agreed by uote that the meating hous should be seat- 
ed and the rule to do it by shall be by list of estate and by age reacouing one 
yeare in age to foure pound of estate 

At the same meeting thare was chosen for comity to seate the meatinghous cap 
Judd left hopkins docter porter 

December 28 1719 it was agreed by uote that the forshorte seate in the gallery 
shall be deamed eaquall [in rank] with the plller or 2 [nd] seate below, that is to 
say the 2 long seat[s] from the upper end 

At the same meating the above written act is made voide by passing a uote that 
the short seate in the gallery shall be eaquall or next to the short seate below 

At the same meating there was chosan by uote ens hikcox Joseph lewis Stephen 
ubson jur William Judd to sit in [the] fore short seate in the gallerre for the yeare 
insuing: and to tacke theire turns yearly out of the foure first seates 

But the people were not long satisfied with the old meeting, 
house, notwithstanding the improvements which had been 
made. A new, and it may be, faster^ generation had come 
on the stage. The old building was found to be too small, 
and otherwise inconvenient. It was antiquated in style, and 
an eyesore, doubtless, to the " young men." The matter was 
brought up in town meeting, and a vote was passed, Jan. 7th, 
1722-3, " that we will Go about building a Meeting house as 
soon as we are able, and that we will build it upon the 
Green." It was also agreed to apply " to the General Court 
in May next to Get a tax on all the Land laid out within the 
Town Bounds, and the money to be Disposed of to the build- 
ing of a meeting house." 

Though Waterbury had now started on the career of " prog- 
ress," its advances were yet small. The people had not re- 
covered from the dire calamities of former days. They were 



224 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

still poor — out at tlie elbows; and the thought of new en- 
terprises discouraged them, (at least the more prudent of 
them.) At tlie next meeting, therefore, a disposition w^as 
evinced to be content with present accommodations and such 
improvements as might be added. A vote was passed, Jan. 
28th, 1722-3, appointing the townsmen and Lieut. Hopkins a 
committee " to make some alterations in the meeting house, as 
has been discoursed, that there may be more conveniency of 
siting, and the seats enlarged by taking up part of the stairs 
in the gallery and making seats there, and by stopping up 
the east and west doars and making there what seats the place 
will allow, and to mend the outside of the meeting house, and 
to raise the pulpit." 

I am not certain that the alterations contemplated in the 
above vote were ever made. If they were the people were not 
long satisfied with them. Their hearts were set on having a new 
iueeting house, and they believed themselves "able" to build 
one. As a preparation for so formidable an undertaking, the 
proprietors voted, Nov. 29th, 1726, that the four proprietors' 
lots wdiich remained out of the six which had been reserved, 
in Kov. 1722, for special occasions, should be sold. Lieut. 
William Ilickox, William Judd and Timothy Hopkins were 
chosen a committee to dispose of them. They were sold, Jan. 
9th, 1726-7, to John Thomson, Joseph Wells and David Jud- 
son, all of Stratford, for £262, money. The purchasers be- 
came entitled to all the divisions, past and prospective. 

The following votes explain themselves. They indicate stir- 
ring times : 

Dec. 12, 1*726 Agreed that we will build A meeting house forty foot wide and 
fifty foot Long 

December 26, 1726. It appearing that there was some Dissatisfaction about a 
vote taken Decem. 12*'' 1726 with Respect to the Dementions of a meeting house 
we did by rote conclude that we would build a meeting house as big as was then 
concluded 

Att the same Meeting It was agreed that the Comitty chosen to order that 
aifair should have power to proportion the House as to Lenth and breadth with the 
advise of the workmen they shall agree with to build the house Making it of the 
same bigness as we have agreed upon 

Att the same meeting the Town made Choise of A Committy to order the Aifair 
of building A meeting house as we have agreed and to Receive the money of the 
Committy Avhen they have sold the proprietors Lotts that were Devoted to the 




J. Kt!ly. J>,-i„/4,: If. T. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY, 



9,0 n 



design and to Agree with the workman tluit shall be set About the work and for 
A Comniitty were Chosen Left. John Hopkins Serj. John Seovill Isaac Br(nHison 
Sen. Dea. Thomas Hickox and Tho Clark 

[In March, 1726-7, Stephen Hopkins and Lieut Hickox were added to this 
committee ; but in December following, they were (with some roughness, as I 
judge) put out of office — " put out from being Meeting house Committe," says the 
record.] 

At the same meeting [Dec. 20, 172G] we did by vote Impower them [the commit- 
tee] that what Timber should be gott by perticular persons the Committy shall 
have power to Cull the timber and Refuse what they shall think not sutable to be 
improved in the work 

Att the Same meeting the Town Granted a Rate of three pence on the pound to 
be paid Into the Committy by the last of may next for them to begin the work 
about the meeting house with 

Feb. 27, 1726-7 [it being represented] that the timber and Other materials that 
the Committy had Agreed for and procured over did the Rate of three pence on 
the pound Some thing Consider Able we did by A vote Agree to add three pence 
on the pound to the Rate Granted In December 26, 1726, makeing the Rate Six 
pence on the pound, the town Charge for the year 1726 shall be paid out of the 
Six penny Rate. 

June 2d 1727 It was by vote Agreed that the stakes set down at the east End 
of the old Meeting house shall regulate the seting of the new Meeting house, the 
North west Corner at the one stake and the South west Corner att the other stake. 

At the same meeting it was by vote agreed that in Laying the Sills of the 
Meeting house they shall be laid two foot from the Ground on the highest Ground, 
and the stone woi'k or under pining to be done accordingly. 

March 13 1727-8 Lef Timothy Standly Declairing before the poprietors [meet- 
ing] that if they would quietly resign A Bacheldors Lott to Him belonging to his 
original Propriety which he had been Keept out of he would make Sale of It and 
dedicate the money there of to the building the meeting house we are now about 
building, where upon the proprietors did by their vote Declare that they did 
resighn the above sd propriety to the Said Lift Timothy standly he dedicating of 
It to the use above sd. 

March 18th 1728 [1727-8] the Town made choise of Mr Nathaniel Arnold and 
Stephen Hopkins to cul the Shingles that have been Gott by perticular persons to 
be laid on the New meeting house — at the same meeting the Town made choise of 
James Balding with them to the same work of culing the Shingles. 

Jan 13, 1728 [1728-9] the Town Granted a Rate of two pence on the pound on 
the List In 1728 to be luiployed In Carrying on the work of the New Meeting 
house 

Att the Same Meeting the Town by Vote agreed that the Committe for the 
Meeting House Shall procure the under flour In the Meeting House to be Laid 
Double 

Thus the work went bravely on. It was a great enterjDrise, 
and drew heavily on the resources of the people. The neces- 
sary funds were raised in different ways. The town laid taxes, 
as we have seen. Individuals made donations. Dea. John 
15 



226 HISTOKY OF WATEEBUKY. 

Stanley (of Farmington) gave eight acres of land in the seques- 
ter, and the proprietors sold some of the common lands. The 
avails of the sale of wild horses were set apart as they had been 
when the former house was built, in aid of the work. The house, 
it will be observed, was fifty feet by forty, or of " that bigness ;" 
and as an illustration of the greatness of the work, as compared 
with the numbers and consequently the weakness of the people, 
it has been said that, at the time the frame was raised, the en- 
tire population of the town, men, women and children, could 
have found seats upon its sills. This saying possibly a little ex- 
aggerates the truth ; for Waterbury must have contained, in 
1727, more than three hundred souls. 

I find in Dea. Thomas Clark's " account book," a charge 
against the town for " boording Mr. Thomas Dutten and his 
prentic from ye 10 april to the 4"' of July in 1729— £7, 16s." 
I suspect, but do not know, that this Mr. Button was the " ar- 
chitect " of the new meeting house ; that he was of "Walling- 
ford, and the father of Thomas Button, who settled in West- 
bury, about 1757, and became somewhat celebrated as a 
church builder and wood carver. The "VVaterbury meeting- 
house, according to the custom of the times, had some simple 
carved work in the interior. There is a brace in C. B. Kings- 
bury's barn, over the main door, which tradition says w^as 
taken from the old house, which may be regarded as a speci- 
men of the work which adorned that venerable building.* It 
seems entirely sound. _ 

In June, 1729, the new meeting house, which stood close 
beside the old one and east of it, was so far finished that it 
could be occupied. It then became necessary for the town to 
enter upon the difficult and delicate business of " seating " the 
inhabitants. This seems to have been conducted w^ith a scru- 
pulous regard to the dignity of individuals. As the minister 
was the most reverend and respectable personage in the com- 
munity, it was meet that he and his family should be first 
cared for. The result is recorded by himself as clerk — " June 
30th, 1729, the Town by vote gave me, John Southmayd, the 
Liberty of Chuseing a seat in the new Meeting-house, and I 

* It is a part of the tradition that this brace was a pait of the fir&t meeting house. I have 
had some reason to fear, however, that it belonged to the second. 



IIISTOET OF WATERBUEY. 22T 

made clioise of tlie pew next the pulpit att tlie East end of the 
pnlpit for my family to sit in." 

It was then voted that " the men shouki sit in the west end 
and the women in the east end of the new meeting honse," 
and that " but one head shonkl be counted in a man's list." 
So much being done, the meeting adjourned for further delib- 
eration, perhaps. The next day, July 1st, after deciding " that 
age should be considered" in the business of seating, " Good- 
man Andruss and his wife, Lieut. Hopkins and his wife, 
Goodman Barnes, Serg. Upson, Sen"", and the "Widdow porter 
were voted into the first pew att the west end of the pulpit." 
Andrviss, Hopkins, Barnes and Upson were, at the time, at 
an advanced age, and were the oldest proprietors and earliest 
settlers then living in the town. They were the surviving 
fathers of the plantation. Hence the propriety of their occu- 
pying this high position in the new house — a place next in 
dignity to the minister's. "Widdow porter" was the Avidow 
of Daniel Porter, lately deceased, one of the original thirty. 
To Dr. Warner, now somewhat advanced in life, was assigned 
the second seat from the pulpit, on the men's side. 

Having thus made a suitable provision for dignity and age, 
it was in order to look after the people at large. Having con- 
cluded " that all the males of sixteen years and npward should 
be seated," a committee was appointed, consisting of Dea. 
Thomas Clark, Samuel Hickox and Stephen Kelsey, to deter- 
mine the rank of the pews and to place the inhabitants in 
them, according to rule. The rule of individual rank was 
founded on age and list, as on former occasions, one year in age 
to be the equivalent of forty shillings in the list. In making 
out lists, the committee were directed to take the three last, " on 
which the three rates were granted for the building of the 
meeting house." 

'No further movement api3ears to have been made towards 
finishing the house till Dec. 1730. It was then voted " to ffo 
on to finish the meeting house galleries within six months." 
A year afterwards, " a rate of two pence on the pound was 
granted towards defraying the charge of finishing the meeting 
house, and also for the town charge of the year past." 

This house continued the place of worship for the whole 



228 mSTOEY OF WATEEBrET, 

town till 1T3S, and for tlie first society till 1795, wlien a new 
house was erected. Eepairs were made from time to time. 
In 1752, the town " voted to repair the meeting house by hav- 
ing windows in front of twenty -four squares of seven by nine, 
or nine by ten, with window frames." The old windows were 
to be used for the ends and back side. In 1769, " those who 
are seated in the seats " had permission, " at their own ex- 
pense, to turn them into pews." In the same year, I find on 
record evidence of growing relaxation on questions of morality 
and propriety. In December, the town voted, for reasons not 
given, " that men and their wives may be seated together in 
the pews I" 

It was not customary " in olden time " to have a chimney 
or fire in the meeting house. It was cold sitting, in a winter's 
day, through a long sermon, but the people were tough. 
Those who lived at too great a distance to return home till the 
day's service was over, would resort, in the intermission, to 
the nearer neighbors. As society advanced, however, " the 
sabbath day house," so called, was built. There the more 
distant inhabitants repaired, the morning service over, to thaw 
their frosty limbs before a rousing fire. There they ate the 
dinner and drank the cider which they had brought from home. 
The first notice of sabbath day houses in AVaterbury is in 1743. 
In December of that year, " upon motion by some persons for 
liberty to set up saboth day houses in the highway, the town 
appointed a committee to hear the request and appoint what 
place they shall build on." Nothing, however, appears to 
have been done at this time, and in December, 1T51, "the 
town gave liberty to such farmers as have a mind to build 
sabbath day houses of seting them in the highway against san- 
day hollow, on the north side, above Thomas Bronson's.^' 
They were allowed ground twelve or sixteen feet in widtli, 
and twenty rods long, which appears to have been improved. ••' 

* The subject of burying yards may require a few remarks. The old yard on Grand street is 
not mentioned in the early records of Waterbury now in existence, except incidentally. It dates 
doubtless from the beginning of the settlement. There the dust of our fathers was laid, though 
no monuments identify the earlier graves. In the old ground (the northwest portion of the pre- 
sent yard) were deposited all the dead of the town till 1709. 

" Aprill 11 1T09 the seelect men of waterbury with the presens and consentt of samll hickox 
Layed outt and sequestered half an acur of land of said hickox one the southerd end of a hill at 
judds medow cald the pin[e] hill one the est side the riuer between thomas judd jur his land for a 



mSTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 229 

The State's committee and the proprietors of the town, from 
time to time, as has ah-eady been stated, made the most liberal 
provision for the snpport of religion. lN"otwithstanding this, it 
was found, after Mr. Sonthmayd's settlement in 1705, that there 
was no adequate fund remaining. One £150 propriety reserved 
in the beginning, had been bestowed on Mr. Peck. A like pro- 
priety had been given to Mr. Southmayd. The mistake had 
been made of giving to the minister, instead of for the nse of 
the minister. Only a few acres of land had been granted specifi- 
cally for this last object — a house lot of two acres, three acres in 
the little pasture, and fifteen acres on Steel's Brook. Under these 
circumstances, and to provide for the permanent maintenance 
of the ministry, the proprietors passed this vote : 

Dec. l;>, lYlS. It was agrecdjby vote that in the division now to be laid out 
there shall be a division of one hundred and fifty pound propriety laid out with it 
to be disposed of by the town for the encouragement of the Gospel in the town of 
AVaterbury. 

This right was not entitled to the bachelor accommoda- 
tions ; and yet the divisions which, at different times, have 
been made on it, have amounted to many hnndred acres, the 
income of which, had the land been well selected, would have 
supported 'several ministers. But the benevolent intentions of 
our ancestors were defeated. The lands designed to have been 
kept sacred for the maintenance of religions institutions have, 
with a single small exception, disappeared, as have the moneys 
derived from their sale. Soon after Westbury and Xorthbury 
were set off as distinct societies, dissensions began to prevail ; 
the people grew careless of their permanent interests ; and the 



!■ select men." 



burj-ing plas for that part of sad town or any other as shall se cas to mak use of it for sad use 
thaer one sad day the wife of danell warner was buryd: layd out by us with consent of the 
naburhood. 

Thomas Jcdd ssr 
STEUKN upson 

This ground is on the hill on the east side of the present New Haven road, a little above the 
bridge in Naugatuck. When the writer was a boy, the earth often gave way on the precipitous 
western bank, carrying the exposed bones far down the hill towards the road. 

In December, 1734, a committee was appointed " to purchase at town cost half an acre of land 
out eastward near Joseph Atkins for a burying yard." This was on the Farmington road, and 
is, I suppose, the yard now used in East Farms district. 

In 1736, March 2d, the town bought for fifty shillings, of Elnathan Taylor, "one acre and 
fifty two rods up the river [' at Northeud,' or Northbury] on a plain by his house, or a little 
northward of it, and north of Twitch Grass Brook, a triangle piece, bounded east on highway, 
west on Joseph Gillet's land, south on common land " — " for a Burying Place to be sequestered 
and set apart for that use "— " to bury their dead in as they have occasion." 



230 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

town, in town meeting, decided, Jan. T, 1739-40, " after a long 
discussion and much opposition," to sell tlie ministerial estate 
growing out of the grant of 1Y15, (as it had authority to do,) 
" taking mortgages for the principal and bonds for the inter- 
est." It was designed to distribute the avails among the difier- 
ent societies. A portion of the land was sokl by a special 
committee (of the town) — Samuel Hickox, Timothy Hopkins 
and John Bronson — as early as Jan. 24, 1T39-40. Other 
pieces were disposed of soon after, the purchaser giving " se- 
curity for principal and interest yearly at some set time, either 
by surety or land." Mr. Southmayd, the town treasurer, was 
chosen to have the custody of the notes and bonds taken in 
payment, " and to deliver the same to the several societies' 
committees when orderly called for," and said committees 
were authorized " to sue out the notes and bonds of particular 
2)ersons, if there be occasion." The special committee was also 
directed "to make sale of the remainder of the [ministry] 
land, if under circumstances that it may be sold." At the 
next meeting, held March 30th, 1Y41, it was agreed that "the 
ministry land sequestered by the grand committee might be 
sold and the use of the money be to the use of the ministry in 
Waterbury." This land, consisting of the three pieces al- 
ready referred to, the town, it is believed, had no control 
over. It could not be sold by the terms of the grant. It 
was to " remain for the use, occupation and improvement of 
the ministry of the town forever, without any alteration or 
disposal, [or other] use or improvement whatsoever." Nothing^ 
however, now remains, with the exception of the "little pas- 
ture," (the parsonage lot of the First Congregational Society ;) 
and how this happens to have been preserved is a marvel. 
In December, 1756, after it had been set at liberty by Mr. 
Southmayd's death, the proprietors voted that it should " be 
for the use of the several schools in the town of Waterbury, to 
be disposed of as the other school lands heretofore hath been." 
Next the town concluded to try its hand. In December, 
1757, it " voted that y^ select men shall rent it [the little pas- 
ture] out for y® insuing year and put y^ money into y^ town 
treasury." But neither the proprietors nor the town could 
properly have any voice in the matter. Much less could they 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 231 

divert it from its original purpose. The land was given by 
the colonial government by its committee, and the grant, 
along with others made " for public and pious uses," had been 
ratified and made perpetual by the action of the General 
Court. 

Again, in 1841, when the funds with which the society was 
to j)ay for the fourth new meeting house were not forthcom- 
ing, tlie committee who had charge of the business proposed 
to sell the parsonage lot. Bennet Bronson objected to this, and 
stated that the property could not be sold by the terms of the 
gift. He, however, saw no objection to leasing the land for a 
series of years, by which an amount approaching its cash value 
might be secured for the treasury, and offered himself to take a 
lease for twenty years, paying for the same three hundred and 
forty-four dollars. The proposition was accepted. When the 
lease had run about eight years, Mr. Bronson died, when, by 
direction of his will, the little pasture returned to the society, 
worth, from good husbandry, and the rise of lands in the neigh- 
borhood, many fold what it was when it went into his posses- 
sion. May it remain for the use originally designed, " with- 
out any alteration or disposal," forever.* 

Tlie friends of the-Church of England attempted, at an early 
period, to obtain their pro^oortion of the ministerial lands, or 
of the moneys arising from their sale. The town, however, took 
upon itself the business of distributing these funds, and the 
Episcopalians appear to have been out- voted in town meeting. 
In December, 1763, the town appointed Thomas Matthews, 
John Welton, Samuel Hickox, Jr., Abraham Hickox and 
David Warner, a "committee to examine the records con- 
sarning the ministerial lands and moneys, and make report to 
an adjourned meeting ;" but at the next meeting, in February, 
a proposition to hear the report was " answered in the nega- 
tive." But in 1770, the strength of the new sect was much 
augmented. They had become numerous in !N'orthbury, West- 
bury and in all parts of the town. In this year, by uniting them- 

* Since the above was written, the land in question, all but a fraction, has been seized and ap- 
propriated, under its charter, by the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad Co. For about 
three quarters of it the company paid the society six thousand dollars. The money thus ob- 
tained has been invested in a house and lot on Leavenworth street, for a parsonage, now im- 
proved by the pastor. Rev. Mr. AYoodworth. 



232 HISTORY OF "VVATEEBUKY. 

selves with the friends of an equal distribution of all the school 
moneys to all the societies of the town, they were able to com- 
mand a majority of the votes. A sort of " omnibus bill" was 
framed, which was passed March 12th, 1770. It embraced the 
two objects to which reference has been made. That part of 
it M'hich relates more particularly to the ministerial funds is 
as follows : 

And whereas, likewise, there are certain moneys in the abovesaid town appro- 
priated to the support of the gospel arising from the sale of lands given by the 
proprietors, at their meeting Dec. 15, 1*715, to be disposed of by the town for the 
purpose above sd, and the church of England claiming their equal proportion of 
the same, the town, at their present meeting, taking into consideration the above 
sd claims with respect to the ministerial and school money, agree by vote that 
the above sd moneys be forever hereafter divided according to the above sd claims, 
and that the societies and parts of societies that shall hereafter be made shall be 
entitled to a like privilege. 

Against this entire vote, the committees (school and eccle- 
siastical) of the first society protested. The school committee's 
protest will be found in another 23lacc. That of the society's 
committee runs in this wise : 

Whereas the town of Waterbury formerly (when consisting of but one ecclesias- 
tical society) was possessed of certain large quantities of lands devoted to the use of 
the ministry in the same. And whereas, since the sd town has been divided into 
several ecclesiastical societies, the inhabitants of sd societies convened in a town 
meeting did formerly undertake by their votes to sell part of the sd lands, and to 
divide the interest of the moneys raised thereby to and amongst sd societies — 
And now the said inhabitants have also voted that a certain party called the 
church of England, (which had no existence in sd town when sd lands was granted 
to the use of the ministry therein,) shall have their equal proportion of s,^ 
moneys, all which votes are an affringement on the property of the first society of 
sd Waterbury and contrary to the laws of this Colony' Therefore we the sub- 
scribers, society's committee in sd first society, do enter this our protest more es- 
pecially against the last of the above sd votes made this day, as it is also against law 
and equity and the most important rites and interest of this society and against the 
common senee and practice of mankind, and request the same may be recorded in 
the office of the town clerk in sd Waterbury. Dated March 12, 1110. 

(Signed) Andrew Bronson, Joseph Hopkins, Ashbel Porter, Dan. Welton, 
Ezra Bronson, society's committee of the first society of Waterbury. 

In the spring of the following year, (1Y71,) the first society, 
hy its agents, Joseph Hopkins and Ezra Bronson, petitioned the 
Assembly for relief. They said that all the ministerial lands 
had been sold, except the little pasture, for £303, 14s. 6d. 
— that the interest had been divided among the several par- 



HISTORY OF WATERBUET. ^166 

islies till March, 1770, M'hen a dissatisfied party of West- 
bury, loug discontented because tliey bad not a share of the 
moneys derived from the sale of the western lands, (with the aid 
of certain Church-of-En gland- men,) assembled and passed the 
obnoxious vote. In August past, (the memorial continued,) 
Capt. Samuel Ilickox and Abraham Andrews, a commit- 
tee of Y/estbury, Jotham Curtis, a committee of JSTorthbury, 
and Capt. Edward Scovill and Capt. Abraham Hickox of 
AVaterbury, " for the professors of the Church of England," 
'• met at the town clerk's office and carried oif about three quar- 
ters of the whole interest of said ministerial money," vtc. 

The petition, which prayed that the money might be return- 
ed, or an order passed concerning the disposal of it, was denied. 

But soon the Revolutionary war broke out. The Church-of- 
England-men sympathized with the mother country, and 
the vote which gave them a share of the ministerial money, 
was found in town meeting to be " a very jumbled, unin- 
telligible one, and as understood by some, illegal and un- 
just, and inconsistent with the design of the donors of said 
lands." The obnoxious vote, therefore, so far as it related to 
the Church of England, was " declared to be entirely vacated 
and of no eifect." The other parts of the vote Avere to " stand." 

There was, perhaps, some informality res23ecting the meet- 
ing which passed this repealing vote, or in its action in refer- 
ence to the same ; for at a meeting held March, 1780, the vote 
was again passed, and put upon record. 

When it was proposed that Westbury and Northbury should 
be set off as a distinct town, and the coiisentof Waterbury was 
asked, it was given on condition that the new town should re- 
linquish all claim to the ministerial and school moneys. The 
act of incorporation said nothing about these moneys, and the 
question was left to be adjusted by the parties interested. In 
Dec. 1786, the town of Waterbury appointed Capt. Gideon 
Ilotchkiss, Joseph Hopkins, Esq. and Mr. Daniel Byington a 
committee to settle " these matters " with Watertown. In 
December, 1787, another committee was chosen, consisting of 
Joseph Hopkins, Esq., Capt. Isaac Bronson, Mr. Josiah 
Bronson, John Welton, Ezra Bronson and Samuel Lewis, 
Esquires, to meet a committee of Watertown to settle the " con- 



234 HISTORY OF WATERBUET. 

troversy," with full power " to relinquish such part of our 
claim to said property as they shall judge prudent,"or to agree 
to leave the question to referees, or arbitrators. 

In April following, the committee reported that they could 
not agree, each party thinking right was on its side. In De- 
cember, 178S, a vote was taken and passed to choose a commit- 
tee " to negotiate the matter with Watertown," and to settle 
it in such manner as they might think prudent, ])romded 
they could obtain favorable terms, &c. 

When Farmingbury came to apply for town privileges, in 
1787 and subsequently, the people of the old town took the 
same position as they did in the case of Westbury and Kortli- 
bury, and were met by the same opposition. 

In October, 1793, pending an application to the General As- 
sembly for an act of incorporation, tlie town voted that if the 
society of Farmingbury would within eight days give the old 
town " a legal acquittance of all their right in the public min- 
isterial and school moneys and other property," &c., then the 
town would not appear against the memorial of Farmingbury. 



CHAP TEE XV. 



SCHOOLS. 



Connecticut has been long distinguished for its common 
schools. The Code of Laws established by the General Court 
in 1650 recognized their importance. 

It being one chiefe project of that old deluder Sathan [says this Code] to kcepe 
men from a knowledge of the scriptures, as in former times keeping them in an un- 
knowne tongue, so in the latter times by perswading them from the use of 
Tongues, so that at least the true sence and meaning of the originall might bee 
clouded with ftilse glosses of saint seeming deceiuers ; and that learning may not 
bee buried in the graue of C Forefathers, in Church and Common wealth, the Lord 
assisting our endeauors — It is there fore ordered by this Courte that euery Town- 
shipp [&c.]— [Trumbull's Col. Records, Vol. I, p. 554.] 



IIISTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 235 

The grand committee, when they reserved the three " great 
lots," doubtless had reference to the interests of education. I 
do not find, however, the school lot particularly mentioned in 
any of tlieir 23i'Oceedings. It would seem that the proprietors 
were allowed some discretion in the disposition of at least two 
of the lots in question. "When Mr. Peck came to be settled, 
as an inducement, one of the £150 proprieties was divided, 
equally, I suppose, (in 1790,) between Jeremiah Peck, Jr., and 
" the school."* In doing this, the proprietors doubtless 
thought they were securing the " public and pious " ends con- 
templated by the committee. 

There is nothing to show when schools were first set up in 
Waterbury. A statute, however, required " that every Town 
having a less number of Householders than seventy shall 
Yearly from Year to Year be provided of a sufiicient school- 
master, to teach Children and Youth to Write and Read for 
one half of the year," and " that each Town shall annually pay 
Forty Shillings for every Thousand Pounds in their respec- 
tive Country Lists, towards the Maintenance of the School 
Master in the Town," &c. Tlie earliest town record, on tlie 
subject of schools, bears the date of 1698. Here it is : 

Decembr: 19d 161)8 y'' town granted 30s with y^ last yeirs rent of y« scooU 
land for y« incuragment of a scoll for four moneths or longer if it can be obtayned 
and deacen Thomas Judd Ensign Standly & John hopkins was chosen a committy 
to endeuiour to procure one to keep scool to teach in righting as well as reading 

[The first volume of the record of town meetings commences with the date of 
the above entry, and with page 9Sth, the paging being continued, probably, from 
some former book. Whether any separate record of the proper business of town 
meetings was made previous to this time is not quite certain.] 

The extracts below show what was done by the town, from 
year to year, on this subject : 

December: 18d: 1699 y^ town granted 30 shiling and y® scoal money for y« 
incuragment of a scoal for three moneths 

John hopkins benjamin barns and Stephen ubson was chosen a commity to hyre 
a scoal master for three moneths if they can 

Decembr: 21: 1Y02: benjamin barns senor and Stephen ubson senr was chosen 
a committy to hyr a scoolmaster for to keep scoal for thre moneths 

Att ye same meeting John Richards and John judd was chosen a committy to 

* This appears, not from record, but from a petition to the General Assembly, April, 17T1, 
signed by the society's committee, in reference to the ministerial moneys. In the earlier divisions 
of fence, the three reserved proprieties were entered as " great lots." 



236 HISTOEY OF WATEKBUKY. 

hire a scoal damo for to keep scoal in y« sumer and for y' end toniake use of what 
money shall be left y' is due to y® scool for y« scoll land after y« scool master is payd 

[Dee. 5, 1704] serg. Isaac brunson and benjamin berns senr was chosen scool 
cora~ity to hire a scoolmaster to instruct in wrighting and reeding as long as they 
can and to haue what y^ country ^a lows for y' end and to hire a scoal dame to 
teach scool in y« sumer and for y' scool to let ye scoll land at sum publick meeting 
to be improued for y« sumer scool [&c.] 

[Dec. 9, 1V06] docf j^orter and iohn Richards was chosen scool com~t to hire 
a scool master for three moneths and a scoal dame for y** sum~r as fare as y^ 
scool money will go 

[Dec. 8, llO*?] Stephen upson sen and John scouill and John Richason wer chosn 
comiti to se after the bulding a scool lious which the town by uoat pased to be 
bult and the sd hous is to be bult fourteen foot wide and sixteeen in length 

Desember 28 1709 [the same persons] ware chosen a commity to cary on the 
work of bulding a scoull hous in said town 

Fabry 20 1709-10 Thomas hickox was chosen a comity with dauid scott and 
Richard porter formerly chosen for this year for to hire a scool master to tech 
scoull and a dam if need be 

October ye 18 1720 it was agreed by note that thay would haue a rate of twelue 
pound for the riging up the scoll hous and other charge in the town so far as it will go 

Thare was chosan for comety to see that the scol hous be dun and repared 
dauid Scott ser thomas brunson and Stephen hopkins 

10 December 1723. It was Acted that the School Committe Shall yearly De- 
mand the Country money [the money required to be raised by the colony law ?] 
And the Money that the School Land was Let for and pay the School And yearly 
Give an Account at our great town Meeting of their Receivings and Disbursements 
and their account Shall be Recorded. 

The School Committe for 1723 which was Thomas Hikcox and Thomas Broun- 
son laid y'' accounts before the town that their Receivings were 6 — 9 — and 
their Disbursements to the school 6 — 9 — and that there was coming to the town 
25 shillings in Doc. Worners hand and seven and six pence in Richard weltons 
hand for school land let to them. 

Tiiese votes and memoranda of the town clerk prove the 
earnest endeavors of the early people of Waterbury, in a time 
of great embarrassment, to provide the means of an elementary 
education for the young. Though they appeared not to do as 
much, in every case, as the statute required, they doubtless 
did all that their circumstances permitted. 

It is impossible to ascertain who w^ere the early schoolmas- 
ters and " school dames " of AVaterbury. There is reason, 
however, to believe that Thomas Judd, Jr., taught a school 
before he removed to Farmington, (early in 1709,) as has al- 
ready been suggested. 

For more than forty years after Waterbury was settled, there 
seems to have been no school in the town except at the center, 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 237 

and no school house except the small one sixteen feet by four- 
teen, first occupied, probably, in 1710. There a school was 
taught by a schoolmaster for three or four months during the 
cold season of each year, and by a " school dame," " if need 
be," and one was to be had, in the summer. Thus our fathers 
got the little schooling they possessed. Thus are accounted 
for their literary infirmities. They were rough farmers living 
in a rough country and in a rough age. They w^ere skillful in 
chopping, grubbing, hoeing and " moin," but had little leisure 
or taste for letters. They had not, for a long time, what may 
be called an educated man among them, except their minis- 
ters. They furnished no graduate of college for the first forty 
years, and no graduate settled in the town for the first sixty- 
three years. 

After the population of the town had extended from the cen- 
ter in difierent directions, each neighborhood that would keep 
up a school,'and had a sufiicient number of scholars, was allow- 
ed a proportion of the school money. The first notice of these 
outside schools is in 1730 : 

[Dec. 14, ITSO] It was Agreed by Vote that at Judds Meadow According to 
their families they Shall liave their School Money According to their list — And 
Woster Swamp and Bucks Hill Shall have the same privillidge provided Each 
party Keep and Maintain A school according to the Intent of the Law In tliat 
Case. 

[Then follow lists of families at these several places. It will be noticed that 
Isaac Bronsou is]placed with the Judd's Meadow people.] 

Families at JudcCs Meadow : — Serg. Joseph Lewis, Saml. Scott, John Andruss, 
Jos. Lewis, Jr., Edmund Scott, Jr., John Barnes, Saml. Barnes, John Johnson, 
James Brown, Ebenezer Hickox, Saml. Warner, Sen., Saml. Warner, Jr., Isaac 
"'ronson. At Woster Swamp : — Jonathan Scott, Sen., Jonathan Scott, Jr., Gcr- 
shom Scott, David Scott, Samuel Thomas, Ebenezer Warner, Ebenezer Eichason, 
Doct. John Warner, Geo. Welton, Jas. Williams, Jos. Nichols, Jona. Kelsey, Abra- 
ham Utter, John Sutliff, Isaac Castle, Jos. Hurlbut, Henry Cook. At Bucks- 
lull : — Serg. Eichard Welton, Eichard Welton, Jr., Benj. Worner, John Worner, 
Obadiah Worner, Joseph Judd, Wm. Scott. 

Dec. 10, 1734 Voted that A School be keep by A School Master the Whole 
year Following As the Law Directs beginning In January Next and to Be Keep 
Seven Months In the Town spot And Nine Weeks In the North west farms 
[Wooster Swamp] And Seven Weeks in the South farms [Judd's Meadow] provi- 
ded that there be not less than Seven Scholers In the School And If they foil In 
Any part of the Town the Money to Go to those parts of the Town that Maintain 
the School With Scholars. 

In 1717, an amended school law was passed, requiring each 



238 HISTOKY OF WATEKBUEY. 

town in the Colony Laving seventy families to maintain a 
school at least eleven months in a year. The above vote is 
the first indication that the families in Waterbnry had reached 
that number, bringing them within the j^rovisions of the law. 

Decern"' 12''' lYS? It was voted that [the School for the year ensuing shall be 
keept twenty one weeks in the town spott and twelve weeks at Woster Society 
and six weeks up the river and six weeks att Judd's Meadow and also three weeks 
att Bucks Hill on such Conditions that said schools shall maintain seven Scholers 
at each School. 

It seems intended in this vote to proportion the nnmber of 
weeks which the school was to be maintained, in these several 
j)laces, to the number of scholars to be accommodated in each. 
The same schoolmaster usually taught all the schools, going 
from place to place. 

After a new meeting house had been erected, it was ascer- 
tained that the old school house was not in keeping with 
the other improvements on the green. A movement was 
made in Feb. 1730-31, designed to secure a new school house 
of increased dimensions and improved style. But the pro- 
ject was promptly voted down in town meeting. The people 
were not disposed to enter into new enterprises involving ex- 
pense. In December following, however, they changed their 
minds, "and voted to build a school house of twenty foot 
square on the meeting house green." They changed again on 
the twelfth of December, 1732, and "concluded that they 
would not build a school house." At the same time they "al- 
lowed the charge of five pounds 9 shillings and sixpence, for 
geting and drawing timber for the school house, the timber 
to be the towns." We hear nothing more of the enterprise 
till December, 1713, when the town " granted liberty to set a 
school house where the old house stood." Each school dis- 
trict or society built its own house. 

In December, 1738, a vote was passed to divide the school 
moneys among the difierent societies " according to their lists 
of estate." In December, 1749, the first society of Waterbury 
was divided into four districts for school purposes, to wit, 
Town Plot, (town center,) Buckshill, Judd's Meadow and 
Breakneck, each (provided fifteen scholars were furnished) to 
have its proportion of schooling and school money. 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 239 

Tlie school lands which came from the half of the £150 
2:)ropriety were at first rented. The rents were considered as 
at the disposal of the town. Tliey were apj)ropriated, for a 
time, to various public objects, besides the maintenance of 
schools, without apparently any show of right. I observe, 
however, no instance of such misappropriation after 1Y14. 

The renting of the school lands, the repair of the fences, and 
the care of them generally, occasioned much trouble and some 
loss. A committee was therefore appointed, in 1734-, to devise 
a plan for the legal and proper disposal of these lands. They 
reported Dec. 10th, and recommended 

That a Committee be appointed to make Sale of All the School Land and pro- 
priety belonging to the Same And that sd Committee make Sale of all the Meadow 
Lotts to the Highest Bider att Some public time and that sd Committee be Impow- 
ered to Give Deeds to Such persons as Shall Give most for sd Lotts and out Lands 
which Deeds Shall be held Good to the Grantee for the term of Nine Hundred 
Ninety Nine years and that the buyer Shall pay the Money Down or mortgage 
Lands for the Security of the principle and Give bonds yearly for the Interest of 
such Sums as he Shall Give for Such perticular Lands as he Shall So buy and that 
the sd Committee Shall Have A Seasonable time to [dispose of] the propriety and 
the Lands that are to be Laid out on Sd Right and it is to be understood that the 
out Lands Is not to be Sold att a vandue but to be Sold to the best Chap that Said 
Committee Can find and that the uses of the money which the Above Sd Lands 
Shall Fetch Shall be Converted to the use of the School in Sd Town for the Said 
Term of Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine years. 

[Signed] Joseph Lewis, William Judd, Sam" Hikcox, Committee. 

The Above Written Bill was past into a Vote. 

The sales commenced almost immediately. John Bronson, 
Jr., bought the school and in Bucks Meadow for 40s. and one 
penny per acre. Three and a half acres at Long Meadow 
brought £14, 13s., Nathan Beard being the purchaser. Many 
l^arcels of divided lands not taken up were sold, at different 
times, for ten shillings an acre. The money obtained from the 
sale of these lands was to be managed by the school commit- 
tee, who were to put it out at interest, " taking mortgage se- 
curity from time to time." Dec. 11 , 1Y38, a vote was passed 
to associate " the town clerk for the time being " with tlie 
committee in the management of these moneys. At the same 
time the town by vote directed that the receipts from the fimd 
should be distributed annually among the different societies, 
according to their several lists of estate. 



240 HISTOEY OF WATEEBUKY. 

In settling the claims of the Hartford and Windsor proprie- 
tors to the lands in Litchfield County, the Colony obtained the 
quiet possession of seven townships in the western part of the 
County — Norfolk, Goshen, Canaan, Connvall, Kent, Salis- 
bury and Sharon. By the act of 1733, the lands in these town- 
ships were to be sold and the money distributed for the sup- 
port of the schools in the Colony : 

Viz, those schools that ought to be kept in those towns that are now settled, 
and that did make and compute lists of their polls and ratable estate in the year 
last past, and such towns shall receive said money, every town according to the 
proportion of said hst, and each parish to receive in proportion according to their 
own list given in as aforesaid the last year ; all which money shall be let out, and 
the interest thereof improved for the support of the respective schools aforesaid 
forever, and to no other use. [Old Statutes.] 

The money received by Waterbury from the sale of these 
" Western lands," so called, remained, after Westbury and 
Northbury were set off', in the hands of the old society. The 
latter claimed, with some plausibility, that the new parishes 
were not entitled to any part of it, and declined to pay over 
any portion. The other parties contended for a share, the 
proportion to be determined by lists of estate. The contro- 
versy waxed warm, and tlie town meetings were agitated by it. 
In December, 1741, 

There having been considerable discourse about the money coming to the 
town for which the western lands was sold and granted for the use of the school, 
and not agreeing in what method it should be disposed of, [the town] did by 
vote agree that they would refer it to some indifferent gentlemen to be decided by 
them where the said money shall be disposed .for the use above said, whether it 
belongs to the first parish, or should be divided among the several parishes, ac- 
cording to what their lists show in 1732. 

The " indifferent gentlemen" (who were named by vote) 
were Col. James Wadsworth and Col. Benjamin Hall. A com- 
mittee was appointed to wait on them, consisting of Capt. 
Hopkins and Serg. Thomas Porter, (of the old society,) 
Capt. Hickox, (of Westbury,) and Dea. Blakeslee, (of IS'ortii- 
bury.) This plan of settling the difficulty, it is presumed, 
was not satisfactory to the discontented parishes ; for, it 
will 1)0 observed, tlieir lists were, in 1732, comparatively small. 




'nypi^it . J^ a^n/^^^-^ 



' JitUy J^finirr. A'.. 



HISTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 241 

i^or is it probable that such a settlement, though nuitually 
agreed on, would have been final. 

In ] 751, the outside societies, now comprehending AYest- 
burj, Northburj and the part of Oxford belonging to "Water- 
burj, secured bj some means a majority of votes, in town 
meeting, and in December of that year, tlie following vote 
was passed : 

It was voted that all the monies giuen to the sd town for the use of the school 
in said town that said town drew by their list in 1'732, upon account of the sale of 
the new townships, or western lauds, shall, for the future, be divided by the annu- 
al list of each parish, for the use of [the] school in each parish — and that A, B 
and C be a committee to take care of said monies, and see that the same be made 
use of according to the law in that case made and provided. And if either of said 
parishes shall neglect to keep a school according to law, then said committee shall 
liave full power to divide the said monies to and between those parishes that shall 
keep their school as aforesaid, according to law ; that is to say by their respective 
lists as aforesaid. 

The committee afterwards iiamed to stand in the place of 
A., B. and C. were Capt. Samuel Hickox, Daniel Potter and 
Joseph Bronson. At the same time, certain individuals belong- 
ing to the first society, to wit, Dea. Thomas Clark, Doct. Ben- 
jamin Warner, Isaac Bronson, Robert Johnson, James Nichols, 
Lieut. John Scovill, Samuel Scott, James Porter, Thomas Bron- 
son, Jr . and Lieut, Thomas Porter, protested against the vote, 
and desired that their protest might be entered on the 
records. 

But it was necessary that the town's committee should first 
get control of the money in dispute which was now in the 
possession of the school committee of the first society. A vote 
was therefore passed, which is as follows : 

Whereas the first society in sd town have by their committee taken all the 
monies and bonds that was given to sd town for the use of a school in sd town 
as aforesaid into their possession, and used the same for the school of said society 
only, for some years past — It is therefore at this same meeting voted that A, B 
and C be a committee in the behalf of said town to make a lawful demand of sd 
monies and bonds of the said school committees of the said first society, and upon 
receiving of the same, they, the said A, B & C, are hereby impowered to change 
the same when they become changeable by taking said bonds and notes unto 
themselves and successors, as a committee for said town for the time being, and 
for want of said committee, to the select men of said town for the time being, so as 
said monies may be disposed of for the use of the school[s] of said town as afore- 
said, and in no other way. 

16 



242 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

The subject, liowever, does not appear to have been finally 
disposed of by the preceding action, and in March, 1770, it 
was again bronght before a town meeting. A vote was passed 
declaring that thence forward the moneys derived from the sale 
of the western lands should be forever divided among the several 
societies and parts of societies of the town, whether then in ex- 
istence or which might be brought into existence, according to 
their several " claims," 

This vote gave, of course, great dissatisfaction to the first 
society, and the school committee solemnly protested against it, 
as follows : 

Whereas the Hon. General Assembly [&c.] granted certain moneys [&c.] to the 
first society in Waterbury for the use of the schools in said first society forever* 
— And whereas the inhabitants, [&c.] convened in town meeting, have voted [&c.] 
contrary to the laws of the colony — 

Therefore, we the subscribers, school committee in sd first society, do enter this 
our protest against sd vote as being unlawful, inequitable and injurious to posterity 
— ^and request that the same may be recorded. — Dated this 12th day of March A. 
D. 1770. 

[Signed] Jonathan Baldwin, Isaac Bronson, Jr., Ezra Bronson, Reuben Blakes- 
lee, committee of the first society of Waterbury. 

Also Mr. Isaac Bronson protested against the sd vote and desired the same 
might be recorded. 

When the new societies came to be made independent 
towns, the disputes concerning the school and ministerial 
moneys were renewed, the old town setting up an exclusive 
claim. Controversy, law-suits, derangements of the currency 
and bad management finally settled all questions by dissipating 
all the moneys. 

* This, it will be noticed, is not the language of the law that made the grant. 



HISTOEY OF WATERBUKY. 243 



CHAPTER XVL 



POPULATION INCREASES : IMMIGEATION. 

Pkevious to 1710, but a single addition had been made to 
the population of "Waterbnry from foreign sources — that of 
Joseph Lewis. About 1710, or soon after, Thomas Clark join- 
ed the settlement. In 1711, Zachariah Baldwin from Milford, 
made liis appearance, and was accepted as a £40 proprietor. 
In about two years, however, his courage had all oozed out. 
He sold everything, including " building and other timber," 
and slipped away quietly. With these three exceptions, there 
were no accessions of settlers, or intended settlers, from other 
towns, till after 1720. The i3eace of 1713,. however, had 
brought comparative quietness and security, and was followed 
by brighter j)rospects. Removals became less frequent. Tlie 
young men who had given so much trouble were with less 
difficulty constrained to settle around the family homestead. 
Some of those who had quit in the darker days of the settle- 
ment, returned. Such was the fact with Dr. Ephraim Warner, 
William Judd, Moses Bronson, Dr. John Warner and a few 
others. There was a moderate accession to the jDopulation 
from natural increase. Previous to 1720, much the greatest 
proportion of the inhabitants lived in or near the town center. 
A few families, considerably less than a dozen in all, probably, 
had settled at Buckshill, Judd's Meadow and Breakneck. The 
remainder of the town was still a wilderness. From 1G90 to 
1713, the taxable list in the town varied from £1,554 in 1694 
to £2,415 in 1712. In 1713 it was £2,154 and in 1720 £2,757. 
Probably the population had not increased in proportion, at 
the last date. 

The first new name that appears on the town records, after 
1720, Avas that of Gershom Fulford, son of Abraham, of 
Woodbury. He was admitted an inhabitant, Feb. 28, 1721-2, 
and received a grant of " eight acres of land in the seques- 
tered land." He entered into covenant with the town, as 
follows : 



2M HISTORY OF WATEEBUET. 

We the subscribers do covenant to and with Gershom Fulford that if the above 
sd Fulford do come and cohabit in the above said town as our blacksmith and prac- 
tice his trade among us for the term of seven years next after the date above said 
and perform articles as our bachelors have done, that then the land given by sub- 
scription and by vote to be his own and his heirs forever — And if the sd Fulford 
do fail of this obligation, then the land given to him by subscription to return to 
the subscribers — We say this land to be taken up in the undivided land. 

Daniel Porter, } r^ , t7 ir i 
o 1 TT- 1 I Gershom Fuliord. 

Samuel Hickox. \ 

Fulford succeeded Dea. Judd, (now somewhat advanced in 
life,) and was the second blacksmitli of the town. In process 
of time, he was raised to the dignity of town brander. He 
had a large family and died in Watertown in 1790, aged 90. 

James Brown was one of the patentees named in the town 
patent of 1720 ; but he was not then a resident of the place. 
He was, however, "of Waterbury" in Sept. 1722, and was, so 
far as can be ascertained, the fourth addition to the permanent 
population of the town, from outside sources, after 1700. He 
was the second individual (Fulford being the first) from abroad 
not a proprietor by grant, who became a settler. His wife was 
Elizabeth Kirby, by whom he had eiglit children born in New 
Haven and two born in Waterbury. He settled on the 'New 
Haven road east of Judd's Meadow and was licensed by the 
County Court as a tavern keeper ; butsoldoutinl737to Josiali 
Terrel of Milford, removed to "Westbury, and resided on what 
is now known as the " Buckingham place." He is memorable 
as being the first Churchman of Waterbury, and was in deris- 
ion called Bishop Brown. His death took place in 17G0, at 
the age of seventy-five. In 1722 he wrote by proxy. 

The next pernuinent settler of Waterbury* appears to have 
been ISTathaniel Arnold, Sen., of Hartford. He was appointed 
grand juror in Dec. 1723, and at the same time received a 
grant from the town of ten acres of land on David's Brook, on 
condition that he should abide in the town four years. He 
married the widow (and his son Nathaniel, born iii 1701, the 
daughter) of John Richason, deceased. He lived on the 
north side of West Main street, near where William R. Hitcli- 



* Samuel Chidester (so wiitten) appears to have settled in the south part of the town 
1722, but he disappeared about 1726, after having sold land to James Brown. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 245 

cock now resides. He afterwards removed to Westbury, 
where he died Sept. ]3, 1753. His son, Caj^t. Nathaniel Ar- 
nold, settled at Wooster Swamp, had a farm there, and died 
May 12, 1777. 

William Ludington, of East Haven, and John Williams, a 
clothier, had grants of sequestered land abont the same time 
as Arnold, and on similar conditions. I suppose Ludington 
became a resident of the town, and thus secured his grant of 
" eight acres in the sequestered land ;" but I have yet discov- 
ered no traces of him after tlie grant, till 1738, when he, or 
one bearing his name, was living in Northburj^, (afterwards 
so called.) I find no proof that John Williams, a clothier, 
accepted the offer of the town, or became an inhabitant at all. 

After this, it does not seem to have been necessary to en- 
courage immigration by land grants or other rewards. Popu- 
lation flowed in spontaneously and with considerable rapidity. 
IS'ames yet unheard of multiply upon the records. A large 
proportion of the new comers " located " themselves in the 
northwest and north parts of the town, (Watertown and Plym- 
outh,) these sections, till now having been entirely neglected. 
They came from various towns in the State, Milford, New 
Haven, (including North Haven and West Haven,) Derby, 
Woodbury, Wallingford, Branford, Wethersfield, &c., but 
more were from Milford than from any other place. James 
Blakeslee (at first written Blachly) came from West Haven, 
(then a parish of New Haven,) in 1723.'^ He lived on the 
corner of East and North Main streets, but in 1733 sold out to 
Stephen Sanford of Milford, and bought of the heirs of David 
Scott, a house and three acres of land on the soutli side of 
" Centre Square," next west of Dea. Clark's. Isaac Castle, 
Joseph Hurlbut and Samuel Thomas came from Woodburj^, 
and settled at Wooster Swamp in 1725. ^ Jonathan Prindle, 
" son of Eleazer of Milford, "f settled in the same neighbor- 
hood in 1727. Nathan Prindle, from Newton, a clothier. 



* This date and those which follow, refer to the time when the individuals named are first 
met with as inhabitants of Waterbury. 

t So says the Waterbury marriage lecord. Bev. A. B. Chapin, in his Sermon on the early 
Churchmen of Connecticut, 1S39, says that Jonathan Prindle of Waterbury was of AV^est Ha- 
ven, He may have been originally so. 



246 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

had a grant of two acres of land np Great Broot, in Jan. 
1Y27-8, provided he would build a fulling mill in four years. 
He was a resident of the town at that date. He sold out his 
house and mill in 1737, to Nathaniel Arnold. \ 

Jonathan, Stephen and Ebenezer Kelsey were sons of 
Stephen Kelsej of "Wethersfield and grandsons of John Bron- 
son 1st of Waterbury. Jonathan came as early as 1725 ; 
Stephen in 1727 and Ebenezer before 1732. Jonathan moved 
to Bethlehem, then a part of Woodbury, about 1735 or 1736^ 
where he became a deacon. 

James Baldwin, from Newark, N. J., settled at Judd's 
Meadow in 1727. He lived on Fulling Mill Brook in 1740, 
where he owned a grist mill, and died in Derby. John John- 
son of Derby settled at Judd's Meadow about the same time as 
Baldwin. His son Silence is first mentioned seven years later. 
James Johnson was in "Waterbury as early as 1727. Joseph 
Smith of Derby came in 1727. Nathan Beard of Stratford set- 
tled in "Waterbury about 1728, and lived on the west side of 
"Willow street, a few rods above Grove. Henry Cook was ad- 
mitted an inhabitant in Jan. 1728-9. James "Williams of Hart- 
ford and "Wallingford became a resident of the town in 1729 ; 
bought a house and some land in that year near the road to 
Scott's Mountain on Steel's Brook ; built a corn mill and saw 
mill near where the factory of the Oakville Co. stands, the corn 
mill being in the boundary line wdiich was afterwards drawn 
between "Westbury and "VYaterbury. In 1739, he sold his 
house and half the mills to Stephen AVelton, son of George. 
Kobert Johnson, a shoemaker and tanner, came in 1729 and 
settled on Burnt Hill. Ephraim Bissell of Tolland first ap- 
peared in Jan. 1728-9, when he was admitted an inhabitant. 
John Sutliif settled in the northwest quarter near the river, in 
1730. Nathaniel Merrel of Hartford became a settler in 1730. 
Abraham Utter came from New Haven in 1730, and was liv- 
ing near Scott's Mountain in 1735. Jonathan Garnsey of Mil- 
ford bought Stephen Hopkins' place, in Dec. 1729, which he 
exchanged with Tliomas Barnes in 1735. He finally removed 
to "Westbury and settled in the part called Garnseytown. He 
became a deacon of the Westbury Cliurch and died June 14, 
1776. John Garnsey, also of Milford, came several years 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUKT. 247 

later, cappearing first at Wooster and then in ISTortlibniy. 
Caleb Thomson of New Haven settled in the southwest part 
of the town. He was admitted an inhabitant* in Dec. 1730, 
Ebenezer Hopkins, Stephen Hopkins and Isaac Hopkins, 
brothers, came from Hartford. They were nephews of John 
Hopkins, 1st, of Waterbury, and sons probably of Ebenezer. 
They all settled in Waterbury about 1730, Isaac died in Wol- 
cott^u 1805, aged 96. Joseph Nichols had lived on Long 
Island, but came to Waterbury from Derby. He settled at 
Wooster as early as 1730, and died 1733. Samuel Towner, 
Dea. Samuel Brown and Elnathan Taylor (the last from North 
Haven) settled in the northwest quarter about 1731. James 
Hull and John Alcock from New Haven, Ebenezer Blakeslee 
of North Haven, and Joseph Gillet were admitted inhabitants 
in Dec. 1731. Thomas Blakeslee of New Haven settled in the 
northwest quarter, near the river, with a family, in 1731 or 1732. 
Moses and Jacob Blakeslee appeared several years later. 
Ebenezer Elwell of Branford settled in Northbury about 1732 
and died in 1757. Joseph Lathrop of Norwich settled in West- 
bury (?) about 1732, had five children born in Waterbury, and 
returned to Norwich after 1745. Jonathan Baldwin came from 
Milford in 1733. He and his son Jonathan were both leading 
men of our town. James Prichard from Milford settled in 
Waterbury in 1733, and died in 1749. Daniel Curtis from 
Wallingford came to Waterbury about 1733 and settled in 
Northbury. Samuel, James, Ebenezer and Jesse Curtis ap- 
peared at later dates. Nathaniel Guun of Derby settled in 
the southwest quarter (Guntown) in 1734, and had ten chil- 
dren, seven of them born in Waterbury. 

At still later periods came the Foots from Branford ; the 
Woosters and Weeds from Derby; the Fords, Hotchkisses, 
Frosts, Royces, and later Cooks, from Wallingford ; the 
Todds, Humastons, Tuttles and Potters, from North Haven ; 
the Reynoldses from Coventr}^ ; the Roots from Farmington ; 
the Camps and Fenns from Milford. 

* There was a law of the Colony made for the purpose of protecting the people against 
•'persons of an ungoverned conversation," who might prove "vicious, chargeable and burthen- 
some to the places where they come," requiring that all persons before they could become in- 
habitants should be accepted by a major vote of the town. A few only of those admitted in Wa- 
terbury are recorded. 



248 IIISTOEY OF WATERBURY. 

By moans of additions from witliont and tlie natural increase 
from within, the population of Waterbury rapidly augmented 
after about 1724. According to my estimate, there were, in 
1727, over three hundred souls ; in 1734, nearly live hundred ; 
in 1737, about nine hundred, and in 1749, about fifteen hun- 
dred. The first enumeration was in 1756, when tliere were 
1,829; the next in 1774, when there were 3,536. 

There is in the old town book a list of the freemen of "Wa- 
terbury, which, to those not familiar with the names, is of but 
little value, owing to the omission of dates. The qualifica- 
tions of a freeman were " a quiet and peaceable behaviour and 
civil conversation," twenty-one years of age, and a freehold 
estate of the value of forty shillings per annum, or forty 
pounds personal estate. The list referred to is, in its com- 
mencement, in the handwriting of Thomas Judd, Jr. His 
catalogue contains twenty-seven names, and bears internal ev- 
idence of having been made out between 1698 and 1702. The 
persons named may be regarded as the freemen of Waterbury 
between those dates and afterwards. Whenever a person died 
or removed from the town, his name was crossed with a pen. 

To this list of twenty-seven freemen, were added by the 
hand of Dea. Thomas Judd the names of seven persons, made 
freemen doubtless while he was town clerk, from 1709 to 1712. 
Then six names are scrawled by John Judd wdien he was reg- 
ister, between Dec. 1713 and Dec. 1717. Then William 
Judd's record commences. He held oflice four years and du- 
ring the time, (no date being given,) made up a new roll. Four 
only of the names wliich are entered by him are new. 

I give below the lists of the four successive clerks, omitting 
from the last, or William Judd's catalogue, all except the four 
new names : 

Ensign Timothy Stanley, John Welton, Sen., Dea. Thonaas Jiukl, Thomas Judd, 
Jr., Benjamin Barnes, Serg. Isaac Bronson, Joseph Gaylord, Sen., Abraham An- 
druss. Sen., John Hopkins, Stephen Upson, Edmund Scott, John Scovill, John 
Richards, Isaac Bronson, Jr., David Scott, John Judd, John Bronson, Samuel 
Hickox, George Scott, Thomas Richason, John Richason, Ephraim Warner, Jo- 
seph Gaylord, Jr., Samuel Stanley, Stephen Welton, John Warner, Sen., Obadiah 
Richards. 

William Hickox, Joseph Lewis, Daniel 'Warner, Jonathan Scott, Richard Welton, 
Thomas Richards, Daniel Porter, Jr. 

Thomas Clark, Thomas Hickox, Thomas Barnes, Jeremiah Peck, Stephen Up- 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 249 

son, Jr., William JudJ, Sen., [son of Philip, sometimes called " William JudJ, 
tailor."] 

William Judd, [the clerk,] Thomas Bronson, Stephen Hopkins, Ebenezer 
Bronson. 

[Mr. Southmayd Tvas chosen register in Dec. 1721, and he seems to have added, 
from time to time, (without date again,) the names of othdr freemen as they were 
admitted.] 

0!)adiah Scott, Timothy Hopkins, Benjamin Warner, George Welton, Nathaniel 
Arnold, John Southmayd, Samuel Porter, Samuel Hickox, Ebenezer Hickox, 
Samuel Barnes, Thomas Richards, Jr., John Scovill, Joseph Smith, Thomas 
Andruss, Thomas Upson, John Upson, Jonathan Prindle, Thomas Hickox, John 
Barnes, Ebenezer Richason, William Scott, Samuel Scott, Jr., James Porter, 
Thomas Porter, Richard Welton, Jr., Obadiah Warner, Doct. John Warner, John 
Judd, John Bronson, Joseph Prime, Nathaniel Arnold, Jr., Henry Cook, John 
Andruss, William Scovill, James Baldwin, John Warner, son of Ephraim, David 
Scott, Joseph Judd, James Blakeslce, Stephen Kclsey, Daniel Portei-, Gershom 
Scott, Gershom Fulford, James Johnson, Edmund Scott, son of George, Stephen 
Hopkins, Jonathan Garnsey, James Hull, Ebenezer Warner, Daniel Williams, 
Moses Bronson, Samuel Thomas, Thomas Judd, Jr., Samuel Camp, Jonathan 
Kelsey, Jonathan Scott, Jr., Samuel Scott, Sen., Obadiah Richards, Joseph Lewis, 
Jr., James Williams, James Prichard, Daniel How, Joseph Judd, Isaac Hopkins, 
Samuel Warner, son of Daniel, Stephen Welton, Samuel Judd, Joseph Hurlljut, 
Eleazer Scott, Ebenezer Warner, son of Ephraim, Jonathan Scott, son of Ed- 
mund, John Alcock, Jonathan Baldwin, Timothy Porter, Nathan Beard, Caleb 
Thompson, Obadiah Scott, son of David, Isaac Bronson, Jr., Edward Scovill, 
Stephen Scott, Joseph Weed, James Nichols, Thomas Bronson, Jr., Thomas Mat- 
thews, Mr. Mark Leavenworth, Mr. John Trumbull, Jonas Weed, John Southmayd, 
Jr., Caleb Clark, Edmund Thompkins, Jonathan Foot, Timothy Judd, Stephen 
Judd, Ebenezer Waklin, Ebenezer Richards, George Nichols, Benjamin Bronson, 
Gideon Hotchkiss, Jacob Blakeslce, Robert Johnson, SteiAen Welton, Jr., Joshua 
Porter, John Richason, Samuel Hickox, William Adams, Peter Welton, Silas 
Johnson, Josiah Bronson, Nathan Prindle, Abijah Richards, Zebulon Scott, Abra- 
ham Warner, Mr. Samuel Todd, Daniel Southmayd, Thomas Lewis, John Garnsey, 
John Warner, Jr., Ebenezer Porter, Samuel Reynolds, Abel Sutlifif, John Weed, 
Samuel Lewis, Nathan Hubbard, Richard Seymour, James Bellamy, Ebenezer 
Baldwin, Ebenezer Trumbull, Caleb Humaston, Andrew Weed, Abel Doolittle, 
Roger Prichard, Jr., Abraham Andruss, Josiah Warner. 

[At this point Mr. Southmayd commences by giving dates, thus :] Freemen 
made April 11, 1748 — Andrew Bronson, Moses Terrell, Joseph Osborn, Benja- 
min Matthews, Jonathan Cook, Samuel Root, John Rew, Thomas Doolittle, Ste- 
phen Matthews, Samuel Darwin. April 10, 1749, James Prichard, Jr., David 
Humaston, Abel Camp, Joseph Upson, Elam Brown, Daniel Potter, Enoch Scott, 
Moses Cook, William Hickox, Abraham Hickox, Thomas Upson, Joseph Brown, 
Asahel Castle, Thomas Cole, Thomas Richards, Jr.,Elnathan Judd, Stephen Upson, 
Jr., Moses Blakeslce, Sd, John Blakeslce. April 8, 1751, Solomon Moss, Samuel 
Porter. Sept. 17, 1751, John Brown, Joseph SutlifF, Isaac Judd, Bartholomew Ja- 
cobs, Aaron Harrison, Zachariah Sanford. April 13, 1752, Eliakim Welton, Thomas 
Welton, Jr., Ebenezer Ford, Reuben Blakeslce. 



250 inSTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 



CIIAPTEE XYII. 



THE SETTLEMENT EXTENDS : NEW SOCIETIES. 

Befoke 1700, all tlie people of WaterLury lived in the town 
center or its immediate neighborhood. The house most dis- 
tant from the meeting house was, I believe, Daniel Warner's, 
(supposed to have been built before 1''00,) situated on the 
north side of the Farmington road, a little east of the dwelling 
marked on the map J. H. Sandland. Soon after the above 
date, the thoughts of the planters were turned to the more dis- 
tant parts of the town. 

Tlie first permanent settlement beyond the neighborhood of 
the old village appears to have been made at Judd's Meadow.* 
The lands here were taken up and improved earlier than any 
other which were so far removed from the town center. The 
first settlers were Samuel Hickox, Daniel Warner and Joseph 
Lewis. Hickox "located" himself on Fulling Mill Brook? 
where he had already built a house, Dec. 21, 1702. Here 
about 1709 he erected a fulling mill, which gave its name to 
the stream. His sons, Ebenezer and Gideon, settled in the same 
neighborhood. Daniel Warner is believed to have removed 
to Judd's Meadow a little later than Hickox, say about 1705. 
In that year he sold his house east of the village. He took up 
his residence near Hickox, on the brook, which was some- 
times called Daniel Warner's Brook. His house is alluded to 
Aug. 1708. His sons, Samuel, Ebenezer, and Abraham, re- 
mained in the south part of the town. Joseph Lewis settled 
on the west side of the river below the present bridge, and 
owned much land there which extended far to the south. 
There are no facts which show the exact time of his settlement. 



* This name is first used in the Indian deed of 16S1-5. It came, doubtless, from Lieut. Thomas 
Judd, who owned lands there at a very early date. It was first applied to the meadows upon 
the river, but afterwasds, the whole southern section of the town was thus designated. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 251 

It may have been soon after his marriage in 1703, and may 
have been not till several years later. 

Those who next established themselves at Judd's Meadow, 
(all I believe after 1714,) were John Barnes, Thomas Eichards, 
Obadiah Scott, Samuel Warner, Ebenezer Kichasoii, James 
Brown of West Haven, Samnel Barnes, John Andruss, Samnel 
and Edmund Scott, sons of Edmund, Stephen Hopkins and 
Thomas Matthews. Several came over the line from Derby, 
and settled near the southwest bounds — the Johnsons, the 
Gunns and the Weeds. 

Buckshill was first settled about 1703, by John Warner, (af- 
terwards of Westbury,) Joseph Gajdord, Jr. and John Gay- 
lord. The Gaylords soon removed. In 1708, Eichard Wel- 
ton bought the house of Joseph Gaylord, Jr., and became a 
permanent settler. He lived next to John Warner, on the 
south. The latter, after several years, removed. When Dr. 
Ephraim Warner returned from AVoodbury, about 1715, he 
seems to have gone to Buckshill. Several of his sons remained 
there, while he, after a few years, came down to the village to 
live. I find, in 1729, the following persons with families liv- 
ing on Buckshill — Serg. Eichard Welton, Eichard Welton, Jr., 
Benjamin Warner, John Warner, (afterwards of Northbury,) 
Obadiah Warner, Joseph Judd, William Scott, Obadiah Scott, 
Edmund Scott ? son of George, John Welton ? 

Breakneck Hill is sj^oken of on the town records as early as 
1688. Whence came the name I know not. Barber in his His- 
torical Collections, and Cothren in his History of Woodbury, 
are mistaken in their accounts of its origin. The name first 
given to the hill was in a little time applied to all that part 
of the town in Avhich it is situated. 

Isaac Bronson, Sen., owned land at Breakneck at an early 
period, and had built a house there before April, 1702. Joseph 
Gaylord and John Bronson may have lived there temporarily ; 
but the first permanent settler was Isaac Bronson, eldest son 
of Isaac. He became a resident at Breakneck Hill probably 
as early as 1704 or 1705, certainly before March 27, 1707, 
when his oldest son Isaac was born. 

The first house which was erected in the northwest section 
of the town appears to have been built near what was after- 
wards called " the village," about 1701, by John and Obadiah 



252 HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 

Eicliards, sons of OLadiah. The Indian distnrbances at that 
period probably prevented its ^^ermanent occupation. "Rich" 
ards' honse " and the buildings are occasionally referred to in 
the laying out and conveying of land. In April, 1701, Abra- 
ham Andruss sold two acres on a hill westerly from Richards's 
land, where their house and barn is west of Wooster 
Swamp." The house is again mentioned in 1709. 

" The village," (so called,) mentioned in the last paragraph, 
was a tract of land in the northwest corner of the town, bor- 
dering on Woodbury and Litchfield, the fertility of which had 
been discovered at an early period, and which at an unknown 
date had been sequestered to prevent its being taken up in the 
ordinary land divisions. In ISTov, 1722, the proprietors agreed 
to have a division of this sequestered land. At the same 
time, land was reserved for roads, and provision made for a 
village. I copy from the record : 

It was agreed by vote that in dividing of the sequestered land at the North 
West corner there shall be three tears of Lotts, viz, a highway next Woodbury of 
Two Rods wide, and then half a mile wide of Land to be laid out in lotts and then 
a highway of eight rods to run north and south, and then another tear of half a 
mile wide and then a nother highway of eight rods, and then a nother tear of lotts 
a half a mile wide and then a highway on the east side of eight rods, [&c.] and the 
Committe in laying out the lotts to leave a four or six rod highway every half 
mile or there abouts through the tears, no lott to be divided. 

Several divisions were afterw^ards made of the village lands, 
but no settlement seems to have been begun there for some 
time. They were regarded as so much more valuable than 
the other undivided lands that, in some of the divisions, one 
acre was to be equal to five acres, (or at a later period, to two 
and a half acres,) in the other parts of the town. The " vil- 
lage" is now called Garnseytown, from the name of its early 
settlers, Jonathan Garnsey and his sons and John Garnsey. 

No permanent settlement seems to have been made in the 
northwest quarter till after 1720, when the superior agricultu- 
ral cajDabilities of that section became more fully known. The 
first permanent settlers were, apparently, Jonathan Scott, 
Sen., (he who was taken captive by the Indians,) and Ebene- 
zer Richason, son of Thomas. Scott (and his sons) lived on 
Scott's Mountain, and Richason on the road leading to the 
Mountain and near to it and to Steel's Brook, on the southwest 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURT. 253 

side of the latter, (the oh1 Buekiiigliaiii phace ?) 1721 may be 
named as the probable date of their settlement. Richason's 
house is first spoken of Jnne 22, 1721. Afterwards, (1736,) I 
find him with the Northbmy people and soon after in the 
southwest quarter. In 1750, he lived on the Woodbury road. 
In 1721, or perhaps in 1723, Dr. John Warner* (afterwards 
deacon) took up his residence on or near Steel's Brook and 
the road leading to Scott's Mountain and Wooster Swamp. 
Isaac Castle, Samuel Thomas and Joseph Hurlbut, all of Wood- 
bury, sons-in-law, the two first of John Warner, and the last 
of Jonathan Scott, Sen., settled at AVooster Swamp about 
1725. Jonathan Kelsey made his appearance about the same 
time. Afterwards came George AVelton, (about 1726,) David 
Scott and James Williams, the last from Hartford. 

Besides the individuals whose names are mentioned above, 
there were settled at " Wooster," (as the northwest part of the 
town was sometimes called,) in Dec. 1730, the following per- 
sons, having families, to wit : Jonathan Scott, Jr., and Ger- 
shom Scott, sons of Jonathan, Ebenezer Warner, son of John, 
Joseph Nichols, Abraham Utter, John Sutliff and Henry 
Cook, seventeen in all, or fifteen besides Sutliff and Cook, who 
were not finally included in the society of Westbury. The 
fifteen all lived in the eastern and northern parts of the future 
parish, particulary along Steel's Brook and at Wooster 
Swamp. As early as Nov. 1727, a highway had been laid out 
for their convenience up the brook and so to the " village," 
which was afterwards continued to Litchfield. Hitherto, one 
half the settlers had been from other towns, and nearly the 
same proportion was continued in the years which immediate- 
ly followed. After 1730, the population increased rapidly 
and spread in every direction. The people had become so 
numerous in 1732, and were so incommoded in attending 
meeting, that they began to think of obtaining for themselves 
'• winter privileges ;" that is, the privilege of hiring for tliem- 



* Jolm VVainer was the first physician of Westbury. Thomas Foot was the second. The last 
came from Eranfortl to Westbury about 1736. lie was the son of John and Mary Foote, and 
settled on the place now occupied by his descendant, Hubert Scovill. He married Elizabeth Sut- 
liir and died Dec. 19, 1T76. Both Warner and Foot were sometimes called into the old society to 
prescribe, as app:; irs from " the account book " of Dea. Claik. 



254 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

selves during tlie winter months, at their own expense, a min- 
ister, and of being exempt dm-ing the time from old parish 
rates. In October, 1732, they petitioned the General Conrt as 
follows : 

That whereas a Considerable Number of families in the Northwest Corner of the 
bounds of Waterbury town, by Reason of their Great Distance from y® meeting 
house which is to Seuerall Nine miles and to those that are nearest about three 
and Exceeding bad way and more Especally by Reason of a great Riuer which is 
called Waterbury Riuer which for Great part of the winter and Spring is not pass- 
able, are debared the hearing of the word preached to the number of aboue thirty 
families, having mett to Gather Sepr 1732 and appointed in behalf of us Your me- 
morialists the Subscribers then and there to petition to the town of waterbury for 
an abatement of our parts of the ministers Rate for the space of four months. Viz. 
the three winter months of this present winter coming and the month of march 
next in Case we Should hire a minister on our own Charge to preach the word among 
us which they the Rest of s^ town Refusing we haue appointed Deacon Samuel 
Brown and Lieut: Samuel Heacock our Committee to Represent and Lay our Dificult 
Surcumstances before this Honourable assembly and the Humble prayers of Your 
memorialests Saml Brown and Saml Heacock in behalf of that part of the aforesd 
agrieved Inhabitants being for Considerable part of the year wholy Debared hear- 
ing the word of God preached, is that we may have the liberty to hire a min- 
ister for the space of those four months before mentioned (being the most Difi- 
cult part of the Year) at our own Charge and that we may also have an abatement 
of our parts of the ministers Rate and Be Discharged from paying the minister of 
the town of waterbury During s^ four months as we haue aminister among us 
Either for this present Year or for alonger time as You in Your Great wisdom 
shall think best, and your memorialests shall as in Duty Bound Ever pray. 

Dated oct. 4th: 1'732. Saml Brown. 

Saml Hkacok. 
[The preceding is from the original file, on the back of which are the following 
names, thirty-two in number, in one handwriting:] 

Cap. Wm. Heacock, Ebnr. Warner, Saml. Towner, 

Dr. John Warner, EHeazar Scott, Henry Cook, 

Mr. John Sutley, Ebnr. Kelsey, Joseph Hurlbut, 

Mr. Jonathan Scott, Senr., Jon'n Prindle, Elnathan Taylor, 

Jonathan Scott, Junr., Nathaniel Arnold, Isaac Caswell, [Castle,] 

Moses Brunson, Wm. Scoficld, Joseph Nicols, 

Ebnr. Richardson, Thomas Jud, Junr., Jonath. Kelsey, 

David Scott, Obadiah Scott, Jon'n Foot, 

John Bronson, Edwd. Scofield, Saml. Heacock, 

Gershom Scott, Thomas Heacok, Saml. Brown. 

Saml. Thomas, Saml. Jud, 

A committee, consisting of Mr. Joseph Lewis and Mr. Ste- 
phen Upson, was appointed by the town to appear before the 
Assembly and oppose the movement ; but the prayer was 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 255 

granted, notwitlistaiiding, and the privilege allowed for four 
years. 

In the midst of the movement of population to the north- 
west, or March 13, 1732-3, " the centre of the society that 
shall there be allowed " to the extent of one mile and a half 
each way, making a tract of three miles square, was seques- 
tered by the proprietors for the town's use. The act was 
not to prejudice former grants and divisions not laid out. 
What its object was does not appear ; but I suspect it was de- 
signed to retard the settlement of that quarter of the town. 
At a meeting held Jan. 12, 1747-8, " the proprietors finding 
a sequestration made at Westbury of three miles square," 
did by their vote " set aside and make void " the same. 

In the spring of 1733, " the northwest inhabitants " asked 
the General Assembly, in a memorial, to set them off as a dis- 
tinct society. They said that they had hired a minister — Mr. 
Daniel Granger ; that they " are universally suited in him," 
and flatter themselves that " he is not ill pleased " with them. 
The town, they continued, had already " agreed that there 
may be a society in the northwest quarter of the bounds in a 
convenient time," and had chosen a committee of six to run 
the parish lines. The petition was not granted. 

Under date of March lith, 1733-4, the towm voted, accord- 
ing to the record, to make no opposition to the application of 
the northwest inhabitants to the General Assembly for a com- 
mittee to fix the bounds of the new society, the expense being 
defrayed by the latter. A few days afterwards, at another 
meeting, the following action was had : 

Voted that a Committee be Chosen by the Town to Consider y" Scircumstances 
of the North West part of the Town and Settle A line In order to Make A Society 
— And Voted that the worshipfull Joseph Whiting Sq', Cap. Roger Nuton of 
Milford, Capt John Russell of Branford be a Committee ta Consider the Surcum- 
stances of the Town as Above Sd and to Settle a line as Above Sd. 

When the question of the new society came before the Le- 
gislature in May, 1734, the town resisted the movement. They 
resisted it on the ground that the vote of March 14th, previ- 
ous, was not in fact passed. The certificate of the moderator 
of the meeting, Isaac Bronson, was produced, which affirmed 



256 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

that in consequence of tlie absence of the stated clerk, Dea. 
Samuel Brown was chosen scribe, who neglected to say that 
the vote placed on record w^as negatived. Probably there 
were excitement and disorder in the meeting, and it was diffi- 
cult to say what was, or what was not, properly done. The 
selectmen furthermore certified that " the meeting was called 
for to procure town stock [ammunition] and no other business." 
Consequently, it w^as not competent to act on the subject of the 
vote, that not being embraced in the calL The result of all 
was that there was no action on the part of the Assembly. 

At a town meeting in October following, the vote of March 
14th was " nul'd and made void," it being " repugnant to 
the common interest of the town ;" while at the same time, 
the meeting resolved to choose a committee among themselves 
to "set out" the new society, " which will be more easy and 
for the better contentment of the town, than to commit it to 
strangers." In the meantime, how^ever, the committee se- 
lected in the spring had attended to their work and " set out " 
the parish asked for. A petition was presented to the Legisla- 
ture, signed by twenty- three individuals, to ratify the doings 
of the committee and grant society-privileges ; but the re- 
quest was again denied. 

In Oct. 1736, the northwestern people again petitioned to 
be set oif as a distinct society. They used the same argu- 
ments they had urged before, such as their distance from the 
meeting house and their separation from it by a river which 
was often impassable. They represented themselves to num- 
ber forty-five families. Their request was refused, but they 
were allowed five months' winter privileges for two years. 
The petitioners, however, were not discouraged. They re- 
newed their eftorts in May, 1737, unsuccessfully. In October 
of the same year, the town appointed Mr. Joseph Lewis and 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, (the town's deputies,) their agents to 
answer another memorial which had been prepared. At the 
same time, a vote was passed expressing a willingness that a 
leo-islative committee should " come to view all the circum- 
stances of the town." In answer to a petition, a committee 
was sent by tlie Assembly, consisting of Capt. John Riggs, 
Capt. Isaac Dickerman and Mr. John Fowder. They report- 




' /o^fyZ^i^O^t^^^ 



^^^^?^^^/ / Cy^yT^l- 



KXilZy n;nff,:Jr.y 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 



25( 



ed, in May, 1T3S, in favor of the petitioners and recommend- 
ed a division line. The line commenced at the southwest cor- 
ner of Capt William Judd's farm at Woodbury bounds, and 
ran in the south line of said farm to the southeast corner of 
Joseph JSTichols' old farm, thence to [James] Williams' corn 
mill, [now Oakville Co.,] thence straight to Jonathan Prindle's 
house, thence east to Waterbury river, thence up tlie river to 
the West Branch and up the Branch to Litchfield bounds. 

In connection with the report, there was given a list of the 
heads of families included within the bounds of the proposed 
society, with the number of persons in each. Thirty-seven 
families are thus enumerated, containing two hundred and 
thirty persons : 



John Smith, 


8. 


Moses Brunson, 


11. 


Stephen Scott, 


4. 


Thomas Foot, 


9. 


Samuel Hickox, 


12. 


Obadiah Scott, 


4. 


Samuel Thomas, 


8. 


Caleb Clarke, 


0. 


David Scott, 


5. 


Thomas Hickox, 


5. 


Daniel How, 


9. 


Nathaniel Arnold, 


10, 


Samuel Luis, 


9. 


John Andruss, 


6. 


Ebenezer Warner, 


5. 


"^ George Welltou, 


10. 


William Andruss, 


3. 


James Brown, 


8. 


Samuel Judd, 


5. 


Jonathan Scott, 


3. 


John Warner, 


4. 


Gershom Scott, 


5. 


Jonathan Scott, 


7. 


James Williams, 


7. 


James Smith, 


2. 


Eleazer Scott, 


3. 


George Xichols, 


«. 


Thomas Richards, 


9. 


Jonathan Foot, 


5. 


James Belemy, 


1. 


Ehenezer Richards, 


4. 


Ebenezer Baldwin, 


3. 


Richard Semer 


4. 


William Scovill, 


6. 


Jonathan Prindel, 


1- 


Jonathan Garnsey, 


10. 


Thomas Judd, 


4. 











The town remonstrated against the line recommended by the 
committee, claiming it ran too far south, and asked the appoint- 
ment of anew committee. The result was, another committee, 
consisting of John Fowler of Milford, Samuel Bassett of Derby 
and Gideon Johnson, was appointed. They reported in Oct. 
1T38, and advised the same division line. The report was 
adopted and the society incorporated by the name of Westbury. 

Soon after Westbury was made a distinct society, the people 
belonging to it began to make arrangements to build a meet- 
ing house, and applied to the General Court to direct as to its 
location and to fix a stake. The Court sent a committee, who 
selected a place one third of a mile southeast of the present 
churches, a few rods east from the Litchfield turnj^ike, where 
the old burying ground is. 

17 



258 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

The place for a meeting house being determined, the "West- 
bmy people applied to the town to provide the ground and 
the necessary public green. Accordingly, the town directed 
their committee for laying out highways in the "north east [it 
should be northwest] quarter," "to widen the highw^ay so as 
to accommodate said house with a suitable green, according 
to their discretion, and to award satisfaction to the owners of 
the land." This was on the 21th day of Dec. 1739, and in 
February following the committee, John Judd and John Sco- 
vill, laid out the land as follow^s : 

Beginning at the southwest corner, a heap of stones, then east ten rods to a 
heap of stones, then ten rods north to a heap of stones, then west eleven rods to a 
heap of stones, then south eighteen rods to a heap of stones where we began — 
butting west on land left for a highway, north on Eleazer Scott's land, south on 
Stephen Scott's land, east on Eleazer Scott's land, or common land as set out 
by us. 

The land included in these lines, amounting to nearly one 
acre, belonged to Eleazer Scott, and as a remuneration for 
the same the committee awarded him " three acres of land to 
lay out in the undivided land, or fifty shillings in money." 

At what time the meeting house was finished I am unable 
to say, tliough lYll has been named as the year. Rev. John 
Trumbull was the first minister. The Litchfield County 
(South) Church Manual says he was settled in 1739 ; but the 
inscription on his monument would make the time later, which 
says that he " died Dec. 13, 1787, in the seventy third year of 
his age and the forty eighth of his ministry." 

Rev. John Trumbull (called Trumble in the early records) 
was born in SulReld in 1715. The ancestor of the family came 
from England and settled in Ipswich in 1645. His son, John, 
removed to Suifield and had three sons, John, Joseph and Be- 
noni. The first, John, w'as the father of the Rev. John 
Trumbull of Westbury. The second, Joseph, settled in Leb- 
anon, and was the father of Gov. Jonathan Trumbull. The 
third, Benoni, was the grandfather of Benjamin Trumbull, 
D. D., the historian. 

Mr. Trumbull graduated at Yale College in 1735 and, at 
length, (in 1772,) became a member of the Corporation of that 
institution. His attainments as a scholar were respectable. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 259 

Sometimes lie fitted yomig men for college, as most of tlie 
ministers of that day did. He appears not to have been dis- 
tinguished as a preaclier ; but the great influence he acquired 
over his people was obtained by his generosity, his hospitable 
manners and friendly intercourse. If one of his parishioners 
had lost a cow or had met with a similar calamity, he would in- 
terest himself in the matter, head a subscription for his relief 
and persuade others to sign the same. It was said of him, 
that if one of his peoj^le turned Episcopalian, he would buy 
his farm.* He was a large landholder and, for the times, was 
considered wealthy. 

Mr. Trumbull was not tall, but a stout, athletic man. He 
was sound, shrewd and humorous. Horses he was fond of, 
and bought and sold them, frequently, with success. On this 
account, he was sometimes, irreverantl}^, called jockey Trum- 
bull. He loved innocent sports, and had once been a great 
wrestler. A story is told of him, which, though it may not 
be wholly true, is probably not a pure invention. At any rate, 
it illustrates the manners of the times. Tlie "Waterbury and 
"Westbury people were in the habit of meeting at some half- 
way place, in the long autumnal evenings, to contend as wres- 
tlers. They met around a fire and the sport was commenced 
by two second-rate athletes. When one was thrown, the van- 
quished called in another from his own side, the object being 
to vanquish the victor. Thus the experts were called out in 
succession, and he who remained last on his legs was the bully 
of the night. In several contests, at the time of which I am 
speaking, Waterbury had proved too much for Westbury. 
Mr. Trumbull heard of the defeat of his boys and partook of 
their mortification. On occasion of the next contest, he dis- 
guised himself and went down unknown, except to two or 
three, to give " material aid," if necessary. The wrestlers 
were called in one after another, till Westbury was again 
" thrown out," the Waterbury champion having grounded the 
last of the rival party. At this period, when the signs of ex- 
ultation on one side and chagrin on the other were becoming 
manifest, a stranger was dragged in from the outer circle of 

* Dr. McEwen's Discourse at the Centennial Celebration in Litchfield, 1S52. 



260 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

the ring, to contend for tlie AVestbury boys. The parties placed 
themselves in position and began by "playing round," to 
find each other's qualities. After a little time, the sti-anger, 
watching his opportunity, caught his antagonist's foot and 
threw him upon the fire. Shouts filled the air and the victor 
disappeared. Great was the exploit and great the mystery of 
the aflair ; but the secret finally leaked out. The story reach- 
ed the ears of Mr. Leavenworth, and the next time he met his 
brother Tnnnbull, he rebuked him for his levity, and censured 
him, particularly, for throwing his rival upon the fire, by which 
his clothes and flesh were scorched. Trumbull agreed that he 
had been guilty of levity, but as for the scorching, he thought 
it his duty to give his (Mr. Leavenworth's) parishioners a fore- 
taste of what they might expect after sitting under his preach- 
ing! 

Mr. Trumbull was married, July 3d, ITW, to Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Mr. Samuel Whitman of Farmington. Their children, 
which are recorded in Waterbury, were 1. Sarah ; b. June 
20, 1745. 2. A son ; b. Feb. 27, 1746-7. 3. Elizabeth ; b. 
March 17, 1747-8. The two last died in infancy. The births 
of John and Lucy are not on record. His widow Sarah and 
son John were his executors. To his widow, he gave his 
" negro wench Lemmon ; to his son John of Hartford, his 
negro girl named Mabel, his knee-buckles, gun and powder 
horns ; to his daughter Sarah Perkins, wife of Dr. Caleb Per- 
kins of Hartford, his negro girl Peg, then in her possession ; to 
his daughter Lucy Langdon, wife of the Eev. Mr. Langdon 
of Danbury, one negro girl, " late now in her possession." He 
had a large estate of both real and personal property. He is 
called in deeds, " clerk," that being the legal appellation of a 
clergyman. 

The house in which Mr. Trumbull lived, and in which his 
distinguished son was born, may still be seen, standing on the 
east side of the road to Waterbury, a little south of the old 
burying yard. His successor in the ministry was Liriel Grid- 
ley, (settled in 1784.) 

The second meeting house was built in 1772,* and placed 

* Richardson's Sketch. 



IIISTOKY OF WATEKBURY. 2G1 

in tlie present center of the village, A third one was dedi- 
cated in Jannary, 1840. 

The early deacons of the "VYestbury church were John "War- 
ner, Jonathan Garnsey, Timothy Judd, Thomas Ilickox, Sam- 
uel Ilickox, Thomas Fenn, Thomas Button. 

The settlement of Northbury, (afterwards so called,) was 
commenced a few years after that of Westbury. The first 
settlers came from other towns, Litchfield, Branford, Walling- 
ford, New Haven, North Haven, &c. Several of them took 
up their residences adjacent to the river on the west side. At 
this place and also on the opposite side of the river hard by, 
the greatest part of the population resided for several years. 
The first settler, so far as my enquiries have extended, was 
Henry Cook of Litchfield. He came with a family al)out 
1728, and had a farm on which he lived on the west bank of 
the river, not far from the Litchfield boundary. He is men- 
tioned as of Wooster in Dec. 1730, but that name at that pe- 
riod was applied, apparently, to all the northwest part of the 
town lying west of the Naugatuck. He had several sons, 
three of whom, at least — Jonathan, Ebenezer and Henry, Jr. — 
had families and resided in Northbury. 

John SutlifF, so far as appears, was the next settler. He 
came from Branford about 1730, with a family, and built on 
the west side of the river. He too, at this date, is spoken of 
as one of the " "VVooster " people. After SutliflJ", came Sam- 
uel Towner, Elnathan Taylor, Jonathan Foot, Ebenezer El- 
well, Thomas Blakeslee, Isaac Castle, (from Westbury,) Daniel 
Curtis, Barnabas Ford, Gideon Allen, (froui Guilford,) John 
Humaston, (from North Haven,) John Sutlitf, Jr., the three 
first before the close of 1731 and the others before Nov. 
1736. These were immigrants from other towns. The first 
native inhabitants of Waterbury that appeared among them 
were, as far as I can learn, Ebenezer Kichason, (from West- 
bury,) Lieut. John Bronson, Jr. and Obadiah Warner, all in 
1737. 

The " up river " peoj)le, few in number, living west of the 
river, joined themselves to the northwest inhabitants in their 
earliest endeavors to obtain winter privileges, in Oct. 1732. 
Soon, however, as i30j)ulation increased, they found it expedi- 
ent to unite with their neighbors on the other side of the river 



2G2 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

and to act iiidependeutly. Thus united, tliey had become so 
numerous m Oct. 1734, that some of them — Hemy Cook, Ebe- 
nezer Elwell and Samuel Towner — on the ground of iheir liv- 
ing so far from the meeting house, requested the town to allow 
them and others to hire preaching the ensuing winter, and to 
abate their parish rates while they should thus hire. Tlie 
town voted "to do nothing in the case." On the 26th day of 
Oct. 1736, the request was repeated in writing, and w^as 
signed by twelve persons — all those whose names have been 
given as settlers at the time, except John Sutlifi', Sen. They 
wanted the privilege for three years, three months in each 
year — December, January and February — with exemption 
from the customary ministerial rates during the time. The 
liberty asked for they wished to be extended to all those living 
" within two and a half miles of Barnabas Ford's now dwell- 
ing-house." The town voted to grant the request. But it 
seems there was a misunderstanding about the action taken on 
the subject, or possibly a change of views on the part of the 
majority ; and the proposed exemption from parish taxes was 
afterwards denied. At a town meeting held April 18, 1737, 
" it was asked whether the said [northern] inhabitants shall 
be exempt from ministerial charge in the town for so much 
time as they shall hire a gospel minister among [them]" "in 
addition to a grant made them Sep. 29th," and an answer was 
given by vote in the negative. 

In May, the disappointed northern people applied to the 
General Assembly by petition. They said that they lived "on 
a tract of land about five miles square whereof Barnabas 
Ford's dwelling house was the center" — that the town voted 
(at the date above mentioned) that they might have a minister 
for three months for three years, " with exemption from minis- 
terial charges for the said term " — that they had employed a 
preacher, and now are forced to pay rates, &c. They asked 
winter privileges and the usual exemption from taxes. The 
petitioners were John SutlifF, Sen., Henry Cook, Ebenezer 
Elwell, Barnabas Ford, Samuel Towner, Thomas Blakeslee, 
John How, Gideon Allen, Jonathan Foot, Isaac Castle, Sam- 
uel Frost, John Sutliff, Jr., John Ilumaston, Daniel Curtis, 
Amos Matthews, Ebenezer Kichason, Phineas Royce — seven- 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 2G3 

ten in all. The town appeared against tliem hj remonstrance, 
and the reqnest Avas denied. In October, however, of the same 
year, (1737,) nineteen petitioners, Jolm Bronson, Obadiali 
Warner and John Garnsey (the last from Westbnry) being 
new ones, renewed tlie application and were successful. Tliey 
were released from the usual parish charges for three months, 
December, January and February, in each year, for three 
years. 

In May, 1738, tlie up-river people again petitioned. They 
asked to be exempted from ministerial taxes "for sucli time 
only as tliey had the word dispensed ;" that is, during all the 
year, provided they employed a preacher of their own. The 
signers numbered nineteen, the names of Jeremiali Peck, Sen., 
Jeremiah Peck, (Jr.,) Samuel Curtis, Zachariah Sanford, Wil- 
liam Ludington, Caleb Humaston, appearing for the first 
time. Tliey said that the nearest of them lived seven miles, 
the greater part eight and many nine or ten miles, from the 
meeting house, on the way to which they were obliged to 
cross the river (whicli was often deep and dangerous) nine 
times. The request was denied ; but in October (1738) it was 
repeated. There were now twenty-three signers, Jacob 
Blakeslee's name appearing among them for the first time. 
They spoke of their three years' privilege expiring with the 
month of February ensuing, and asked that it might be ex- 
tended for two years. They alledged that they had a popula- 
tion of 139, (as I read the figures,) and that to get to meeting 
at the town center, they had to remove bars and oi)en gates 
at ten different places. (In the original, the word ten is writ- 
ten over the figures 17.) The petition was granted. 

After Westbury had been incorporated as a distinct society, 
in Oct. 1738, the way seemed open for the northern inhabit- 
ants. As they no longer helped support the town minister, 
the town looked upon the plan of a separate organization 
with indifference. At the October session of the Legislature, 
in 1739, a memorial was presented by John Sutliff and Moses 
Blakeslee, agents, &c. It represented that the people were 



Desirous of being made a society with the privileges of a society that they 
may settle a gospel minister among them and have God's word preached and 



23-i HISTORY OF WATEEBCEY. 

ordinances administered ; and having prayed said old society in said Watcrbin-y to 
give them certain bounds and obtained a vote that they, said old society, will not 

oppose them [&c.] as by the vote may appear Sep. 18, IToQ Whereupon the 

memorialists humbly pray that this honorable Assembly would appoint a commit- 
tee and send them to view their circumstances, and state the line between said old 
society and sd inhabitants and to make return, [&c.] 
[Attached to this memorial are the following names :] 
John SutlifF, William Ludiugton, Caleb Humaston, 

Moses Blakeslee, Amos Matthews, John Garnsey, 

JohnBronson, Noah Pangborn, John Sutliff, Jr., 

John Warner, Matthew Ladington, Thomas Blakeslee, 

Obadiah Warner, Barnabas Ford, Gideon Allen, 

Daniel Potter, Joseph Clark, [Jr.,] Samuel Frost, 

Samuel Curtis, Jacob Blakeslee, John How, 

Joseph Clark, Daniel Curtis, Jeremiah Peck. 

Henry Cook, Zachariah Sanford 

Only four of these twenty-six signers were native or old in- 
habitants of Waterbnry — John Bronson, Obadiah Warner, 
Jeremiah Peck and John Warner. The committee asked for 
was appointed. They entered at once npon their duties and 
indicated the parish lines. On the west side, the line ran 
down the West Branch and ]^augatuck River along the West- 
bury boundary to Spruce Brook, " a little below Upson's 
Island," thence (easterly) a strait line to the falls of Hancox 
Brook, thence " strait to south side of Mr. IsToyes farm," thence 
due east to the Farmington line, thence round in the old town 
boundary. The report was approved and accepted, and the so- 
ciety incorporated by the name of IS^orthbury, all at the same 
session, Oct. 1739. 

The first record of the society of ]N"orthbury (the third soci- 
ety of Waterbury) is a warning for a meeting, on the applica- 
tion of John Sutliif, Ebenezer Eichason and Barnabas Ford, 
dated Nov. 10, 1730, signed by Thomas Clark, justice of the 
peace, &c. The meeting was to be held on the 20th day of 
the month, at which time the first meeting took place. John 
Sutliff was chosen moderator, Barnabas Ford, clerk, and Moses 
Blakeslee, John SutlifF and Ebenezer Richason [society's] com- 
mittee. They "maid choise " of Samuel Todd to be their 
minister and voted to give him £150 settlement. 

That is to say, we will get or cause to get sufficient timber for a house thirty- 
two foot long, twenty-five wide and fifteen foot between ients [joints — was not 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 205 

15 feet the length of the posts ?] frame and set it up, dig and stone up a seller under 
all y« bigest rume, underpin y* house, ruf it on each side fifteen inches and on 
each end eight inches, bord and couer y« house with short shingells, prouide all y« 
materials therefore, couer y^ sides and ends with rent claboards and prouide nales 
and clabords and make and put up a sutable number of "Winder frames and finish 
all y« timber work of y^ outside of y° house, find stone and build y« chimleys, two 
fire places below and 1 aboue, and seal the bigest loer rume and glaze it and pro- 
cure all the materials for it and prouide all y® hooks and hinges for all y« rume 
and prouide all ye materials for doing y® work as above meuchened, and y« same 
to be done workmanlike for Mr. Sam^ todd by y* 1*' of October in y« year 1'740. 

[At the same meeting, Joseph Clark, John How, John Bronson, Thomas Blakes- 
lee and Gideon Allen were chosen to superintend the building of the house ; and 
a vote was passed freeing Jeremiah Peck, Daniel Curtis and Barnabas Ford from 
the charge of building.] 

At y« same meeting, it was voted to give Mr. Samuel todd for y« two first years 
from ye first of last October £100 salary per year and his fire wood and two dayes 
work a man from sixteen to sixty [years of age] per year, one in summer and one 
in y® winter, and prouide comfortable house roome for him y® first year upon our 
own causte, and y® £100 per year to be paid each year in y® months of Oct. Xov. 
and Dec. — and after y® two first years are up to give him twel [twelve] pence 
upon ye pound to be his yearly salary, muny or publick bills of credit, until our 
list at ye lay raises 100 and [ * * ] pounds att y® rate of siluer at three and 
twenty [shillings] per ounce ; and y* to be ye stated salai-y, and two days work a 
man til twelue pence upon y® pound makes one hundred pounds as before speci- 
fide ; and to find him his fire wood so long as he shall continue in ye work of y® 
ministre amonge us. 

At a subsequent meeting, Marcli 3, 1T40, (1739-40,) a rate 
of four pence on tlie pound in work and one penny in money 
was laid. At the same time, Moses Blakeslee, Jeremiali Peck 
and Daniel Curtis were appointed to present to Mr. Todd the 
" call " of tlie society and to receive his answer. The follow- 
ing is his reply, bearing date March 3, 1739-40 : 

To Mr. Jeremiah Peck, Moses Blakeslee, david curtis — having reseeued your 
call and proposals in behalf of y® sosiati to settle with you in y® work of y® min- 
istry, and hauing waid and considered them I declare myself willing upon them to 
settle with them in y® work of y® ministry, prouided they proseed to a regular 
ordanation upon or before ye eight day of may next and pray god you may be a 
blessing to me and I to you. 

Sam" todd. 

It was decided that the seventh of May should be the day 
of the ceremony, at which time, probably, the ordination took 
place. Afterwards, (Aug. 10, 1740,) the society granted to 
Lieut. John Bronson, in work or money, £3, 18s. for keeping 
the council. 



266 HISTORY OF WATERBDRY. 

Rev, Samuel Todd, tlie first minister of ISTorthbuiy, was the 
seventli cliild and fifth son of Samuel and Mary (" Tole ") Todd 
of North Haven, and was born March 6, 1716-17. He was 
graduated at Yale College in 1734, at the age of 17.* He 
married, August 31, 1739, Mercy, d. of Mr. Peter Evans of 
Northfield. His children were, Alathea,t (b. Dec. 7, 1740,) 
Mary, Irene, Eliel, Alathea, Lucy, Samuel, Lucy and Chloe. 
His house stood a few rods south of the meeting house built 
during his ministry. 

About the time of Mr. Todd's settlement, the Great Revival of 
JSTew England commenced. He was at first, it is stated, opposed 
to it, or, at least, regarded it with distrust. He went to Stock- 
bridge to get a more intimate knowledge of its practical work- 
ings, and came back with opinions wholly changed. He at once 
introduced " conference meetings," and labored to rouse the 
feelings of his church and people. The result was, many of 
his parishioners and finally a majority, including some of the 
principal men in both the church and society, turned against 
him, denounced his doctrines and measures, and at length ob- 
tained the control of the meeting house and established in it 
Episcopal worship). 

In Jan. 1742-3, the society refused to give Mr. Todd "any 
thing for the sink of money," (depreciation of the currency,) 
but they agreed to pay him five pounds old tenor for not fin- 
ishing his house in the stipulated time. In December, 1743, 
they voted to allow him £16 yearly, in place of two days' work 
each, and £12 old tenor for fircM^ood. In 1745, he was to 
have for his sahuy " owne hundred forty five pounds old 
tenor money ;" in 1747, £180 ; in 1748, £300 ; in 1749, £250 
and £30 for firewood, payable in the depreciated old tenor 
currency. In 1755, he was to receive £46 lawful money, 
(specie currency) — wheat to be valued to him at 3s. 6d. per 
bushel, rye at 2s. 4d., Indian corn at Is. 9d., oats at 10-|d,, 
pork at 3d. per pound. 

* The Manual of the Plymouth Church and Goodwin's Genealogy of the Foote Family say he 
was graduated in 1834, at the age of 15. The New Ilaven record gives his birth as above. The 
Genealogy affirms, also, that he died in 1789, aged 76, and that Mary Evans was his mother. 

t According to tradition, the first burial in Northbury was that of a little girl of Mr. Todd, 
who was drowned in a spring about 1741. It was eight years before another death tools; place, when 
the lung fever made its appearance, of which thirty died. [Manuscript notes of the Rev. H. 
D. Kitchell, late of Plymouth Hollow.] 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 2G7 

Feb. 12, 1756, Mr. Todd made a written communication to 
the societ}^ : 

Brethren and Friends — there are evidentl}- many difficulties subsisting among 
us, in particular with regard to my support among you, y« which we have great 
reason to suspect is one great ground and rise of all y« rest y« which is jus* 
ground of great Humelation and Lemmantation as greatly threttcning our ruin 
[&c.] 

He oflered to take as salary what might be raised by a con- 
tribution on the sabbath once in two months and what any 
might hand in at other times, with the grant of the " ministry 
money." The society accepted the offer. But the plan did 
not work, and a parish meeting the next year again voted Mr. 
Todd £-16. This was to be his annual salary for four years. 
The fifth year it was to be £51 and afterwards £56 per annum, 
(currency of the specie standard, doubtless.) This arrange- 
ment was satisfactory to Mr. Todd. A good understanding, 
however, was not obtained, and in Dec. 1763, the society voted 
to choose a committee of wise and just men to hear and deter- 
mine whether said society had fultillcd their covenant agree- 
ment with Mr, Todd. 

Mr. Todd's ministry in Northbury was now drawing to a 
close. After having in vain tried to settle the difficulties with 
his parish by a council, he at length, with broken health, ask- 
ed to be dismissed. At a meeting the third Monday of 
April, 1764, the society voted that on account of difficulty 
about Mr, Todd's support, and his "prevailing bodily indispo- 
sition for some time past, whereby he is mucli disabled from 
carrying on the work of the ministry, as likewise his request 
to lay down the work of the ministry," they consented. At the 
same time, the meeting "maid choise of Dea. John Warner 
and Dea. David Dutton and Lieut. Danl. Potter to be a com- 
mitty to apply to ye Association of this (New Haven) County 
for advice in order to have the pulpit supplyed and to bring 
in a candidate to preach." Soon afterwards, a communica- 
tion was received from Daniel Humphrey, John Trumbull, 
Benjamin Woodbridge and Mark Leavenworth, a committee of 
the Association, lamenting their troubles and alienations, &c., 
and recommending the calliug of a council to settle matters, 
or, if thought best, to dismiss Mr. Todd. 



268 HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 

Mr. Todd appears to liave been dismissed in Angust, lT6-i ; 
and in Dec. following the society voted that thej "wonld 
leave all their diferances with Mr. Saninel Todd in his 
demands npon this society for and npon acconnt of his sal- 
ary from time past nntill this day nnto indeferant gentlemen 
snch as Mr. Todd and the sosiaty commity shall agree to 
have and abide by the doings of sd arebitrators, and Phineas 
Royce and Daniel Potter to assist the sosiaty commity 
herein." 

Mr. Todd removed from Xorthbnry to Lanesboro, Mass., 
where he preached abont two years. Thence he went to 
Adams, where he organized the first Congregational chnrch 
in that place, and was its pastor till 1778. He took a deep 
interest in the Eevolution, was an ardent Whig and, for a 
brief period, a chaplain in the continental army. He next 
lived for a short time at Northfield, with a son. About 1782, 
he removed to Orford, I^. H., where he resided with his chil- 
dren, preaching occasionally in the new settlements, till his 
death, Jnne 10, 1789. 

Mr. Todd's ardor, in the earlier years of his ministry, some- 
times got the better of his discretion ; but he is believed to 
have been a sincere man, devoted to his Avork and willing to 
suffer if need be in the performance of a supposed duty. It is 
affirmed that he had great decision of character and a mind of 
the full average strength. 

After the dismission of Mr. Todd, Eev. Asahel Hathaway 
officiated for a time in ISTorthbury. On the 24th of Sept. 1764, 
the society made " choise " of him " to preach as a proba- 
shuner in order for settlement," and Dec. 17, 1764, invited 
him to become their settled minister. He declined. After- 
wards, in Jan. 1765, Mr. John Bliss M-as chosen to preach as a 
" probashuner," and in April, Mr. Ephraim Judson was select- 
ed for a like service. 

At a meeting held the first Monday of July, 1765, the soci- 
ety, " by a unevarsal note," expressed a desire to hear Mr. 
Andrew Storrs preach. A month afterwards, Mr. Storrs was 
requested to become a candidate for settlement, and on the 
last Monday of Sept., was " called to settel," by an " unevarsal 
note." Tlie society agreed to give him, under date of Oct. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUET. 2G9 

2S, 1765, £180 settlement to be paid in two years, £iO cash 
and £50 in provisions, each year ; and £60 sahiry for two 
years, £20 cash and the remainder in wdieat, rye, Indian corn, 
&c. After the two first years, the salary was to be £70 per 
year, £30 cash and £40 in wheat, rye and Indian corn, at the 
market j)rice on the first day of January, annually, "allow- 
ing the expense of tranceport to market not exceeding in 
distance 'New Haven, Middletown or Hartford." Fire- 
wood was also to be furnished, and each "man" was to 
give two days' work yearly for two yeai'S. Mr. Ston-s ap- 
appeared personally in the meeting and made known his ac- 
ceptance of the terms proposed. To make everything agree- 
able, a vote was passed " to chuse a committee to stand obliged 
for the payment of such purchases as Mr. Storrs shall make 
for a settlement." 

Ml-. Storrs became the settled pastor of the church and society 
Xov. 27, 1765, and was continued in that relation till his 
death, March 2, 1785. He was born in Mansfield, Conn., Dec. 
20, 1735. He appears to have been indisposed for some time 
before his decease, so that a vote was passed, Dec. 16, 1784, 
" that the sosiaty committey should bee ortherized to assist 
Mr. Storrs to sopply the pulpit as far as it can be done by in- 
viting in the naboring jentelnien minerstors to preach." 

Of Mr. Storrs, the Kev. Mr. Hart once said, in a manuscript 
sermon, " He is still remembered by our aged people with 
afiectionate reverence as a wise and faithful pastor." 

xVfter the death of her husband, Mrs. Storrs was authorized 
by the society, March 21, 1785, " to use the wood got for Mr. 
Storrs." Authority was also given, June 6, to print 500 copies 
of the funeral sermon. 

The Rev. Simon "Waterman succeeded Mr. Storrs, and was 
installed Aug. 29, 1787. He was dismissed Nov. 15, 1809. 
The Rev. Luther Hart was his successor. 

The early deacons of the Northbury church were Jeremiah 
Peck and Moses Blakeslee, (appointed 1740,) John Warner, 
David Dutton, Daniel Potter, John Sutliff, Eliakim Pottei-,* 
David Smith. 

* Dec. 9, 1774, "voted that Dea. Eliakim Potter shall read the Psalm for the future.' 
(Society Record.) 



270 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

The people of ]N"ortlibury, before they were incorporated as 
a distinct society, had built a house, designed for the common 
uses of the people but called a school liouse, in which they met 
for public worship. The land on which it was erected, ap- 
pears to have been owned by John How. This land How 
conveyed, Sept. 6, 1Y38, "for a valuable consideration," to 
John Southmayd, clerk, Southmayd, " for good causes and con- 
siderations," quit-claimed the same, at the same date, to Mr. John 
Sutliff, Ebenezer Kichason, John How, Thomas Blakeslee and 
Barnabas Ford and the rest of the inhabitants living within 
two miles and a half of said Barnabas Ford's now dwelling 
house," &c. The land is understood to have been a donation 
to the future society from John How. It is described in South- 
mayd's deed as 

One acre near sd Ford's dwelling house in Waterbury on which said inhabitants 
have already set up a house under the denomination of a S[chool ?] house for the 
sd inhabitants to meet in to carry on the public worship of God on the sabbath, 
[&c.] bounded to the west on land left for a highway and How's land, south on 
Barnabas Ford's land, east and north on said How's land. [Land Records, Vol. 
V, p. 15.] 

Soon after the settlement of Mr. Todd, the Churchmen of 
I^orthbury obtained a majority of the votes, and took exclu- 
sive possession of the house of worshij).* The votes are 
alledged to have been eighteen, of which eleven were on the 
side of the majority ; but this number could not have com- 
prehended all the legal votes in the society. As a conse- 
quence of this movement, the Congregational minority were 
obliged to look for quarters elsewhere. The society therefore 
voted, Oct. 6, 1740, to apply to the General Assembly for a 
committee " to stake a place to set a meeting house," and ap- 
pointed John Bronson agent to take charge of this business. 
The Assembly did nothing, and in the following May, (1741,) 
another petition was presented by Moses Blakeslee, Thomas 
Blakeslee and John Bronson, a committee. They asked for 
the interposition of the Assembly, saying " your honors are 
somethino; informed of our circumstances which are trulv 



* This house stood in Plymouth Hollow, at the intersection of the north and south (or river 
road) and the east and west road running through the center, near the spot where the school 
house lately stood. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 271 

great and very distressing," &c. It appears that the previons 
meetings of the society and the votes appointing the ofhcers 
had been irregular. In consequence of this fact, and of the 
" broken and confused state of aftairs," the Assembly appoint- 
ed Benjamin Hall of "VYallingford and John Riggs of Derby, 
a committee, who were authorized " to call and conduct a so- 
ciety meeting and to advise and give an opinion about a place 
for a meeting house," The committee, in pursuance of instruc- 
tions, warned a meeting to beheld on the 10th day of June, 1 741, 
at which meeting, Joseph Clark was chosen clerk, and Deacon 
Moses Blakeslee, John Bronson and Serg. John Warner, com- 
mittee. The Assembly's committee, also, " advised and direct- 
ed them [the society] to meet on the sabbath for ten months 
in the year at the house called the school house, and the other 
two months at the dwelling house of Joseph Clark, namely 
January and February." They made a report of their doings 
at the October session, which was " approved and accepted." 
At the same session, the society again petitioned for a commit- 
tee to locate the meeting house. Several influential persons 
disapproved of this movement. Certain of them, to the num- 
ber of ten, to wit, John How, Ebenezer Elwell, Barnabas 
Ford, John SutlifF, Thomas Blakeslee, Daniel Curtis, Samuel 
Frost, John SutliiF, Jr., Abel SutlifF and Caleb Humaston, 
signed a remonstrance. They did not want a committee called, 
because — " 1. The committee sent from the Honorable Assem- 
bly last May viewing our circumstances advised us not to build, 
and we well know that their advice was good considering our 
poverty." 2. Only nine were in the vote for sending for a com- 
mittee. 3. The meeting was not warned " to confer about any 
such thing." 

Notwithstanding the opposition, Capt. John Biggs and Capt. 
John Fowler were ajjpointed to designate a place for a meet- 
ing house. At the next session, in May, (1742,) the commit- 
tee re]3orted that they had selected a place and set a stake 
" twenty rods on the westward side of the One Bine Swamp," 
and thirty rods south of the road leading from the river east- 
ward. The report was accepted and approved ; but nothing 
was done, immediately, in the way of building. 

Dec. 3, 1744, the society voted to build a meeting house at 



272 HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 

tlie committee's stake, and resolved for the ensuing jeav to 
meet for worship at the honses of Daniel Potter, Samuel Todd 
and Caleb Weed. At a meeting held Sept. 24, 1745, in con- 
sequence of a pending vote, "Barnabas Ford, Thomas Blakslee 
and David Elakslee declared their decent from their land being 
taxed for the building a meeting house for the decenters open- 
ly in the meeting." A vote was then passed to apply to the 
Assembly for a tax on land of 6d. per acre for four years, 
the lands of the Church-of-England men to be exempted. It 
was also agreed that an attempt should be made " to have the 
middle stake confirmed for the meeting house." John Warner 
acted as the agent of the society, and in his memorial presented 
in Oct. (1745) represented that about one third of the society 
had declared for the Church of England, and that the western 
inhabitants, for whose accommodation the old stake had been 
set, had " generally " so declared. In the name of those who 
sent him, he desired that the stake might be placed " farther 
east where the middle stake was set up," and that a tax be 
laid, &c. The prayer was granted and a resolution passed as 
follows : 

Resolved that the middle stake erected by sd Committee standing by the path 
leading from Dea. Blakeslee's to Isaac Castle's dwelling house, about twenty rods 
eastward from the brook that runs from the north end of the hill called One Pine 
toward the river, shall be and hereby is established to be the place whereon to 
build a meeting house in said parish — And that all the unimproved lands in the 
limits of said parish (exclusive of those belonging to such persons as have profess- 
ed for the Chui-ch of England) shall and hereby is taxed at the rate of Cd. old 
tenor currency per acre, for the space of four years next coming, to be paid by 
the owners of such lands, and to be improved for the building of sd. meeting 
house and for the support of their minister. 

Much difficulty, however, was experienced in the collection 
of the tax ; and in Dec. 1747, the society voted to pay all 
necessary charges for law-suits against Caleb ITumaston, (col- 
lector,) for distraining for taxes. 

Dec. 9, 1745, there were signs of decisive steps in the way of 
building a meeting house. Dea. Moses Blakeslee, Lieut. Dan- 
iel Curtis, Ens. John Warner, Joseph Clark, Jr. and Calel) 
Humaston were then chosen building committee, and it was 
determined that the house should be forty-five feet by thirty- 
five, on the ofround. 




-z^ 



J.Xilly. T^i^ie^-. M 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 273 

At a town meeting of Waterbniy, held Dec. 8, 1740, tlie 
town voted " upon the request of ISTorthbuiy parish with 
respect to the phice to set their meeting house upon, to pur- 
chase the place as it shall he stated as to length and breadth 
by a committee chosen by the town." Capt. Timothy Hop- 
kins, Caj)t. Stephen Upson, Serg. Thomas Porter, Capt. Sam- 
uel Hickox and Capt. William Judd were appointed the com-- 
niittee. Their doings are recorded under date of Dec. 10, 

1746. They " set out a place or green convenient for a place 
of parade and burying place if need be," eight rods south and 
eighteen rods north " from the stake appointed by the Court 
for the meeting house for said parish," (of .ISTorthbury,) " and 
sixteen rods w^est at each end from the east line of John Brins- 
mead's farm," being twenty-six rods in length and sixteen in 
breadth.— [Land Records, Yol. YI, p. 252.] 

The above two acres and six tenths, belonging to Mr. Brins- 
mead, or Brinsmade, of Milford, were paid for by the town. 
In order to enlarge the green, certain individuals, as it ap- 
pears, i3urchased of Mr. B. four tenths of an acre adjoining. 
To the whole, Mr. Brinsmade seems to have added one acre 
as a donation. These four acres and one acre more, making 
five acres, Mr. B. conveyed, April 1, ITiT, to Caleb Humas- 
ton for "£15 old tenor." The land is described as lying 
'' north of the hill called the One Pine." Of this tract, Hum- 
aston deeded the four acres intended for a green, Dec. 3, 

1747, to the society's committee of Northbury, said land 
being situated " about the meeting house," the same to be taken 
ojff the five acres had of Brinsmade, beginning at the south- 
east corner, thence running west twenty-two rods by the 
highway, to be twenty rods wide at the north end, butting 
west on Brinsmade'S land, north on Humaston's land, east on 
Mr. Todd's land, south on highway, and running north and 
south far enough to make four acres. — [Land Records, Yol. 
YI, p. 257.] 

Sept. 22, ni", the society voted that any man of the luhabitance may build 
a sabbath day house for conveniency so will, prouided he sets it on y« green on 
which the meting house stands, prouided he sets it on the outside on the line 
whare the society commity then standing shall say fit, and at s'* meting they voted 
to cleer the meting house green by eating Ijrush and clearing it away. 

IS 



274 HISTOKY OF WATEEBUEY. 

Dec. 2(3, lliQ, a vote was passed to finish the lower part of tbe meeting hoii-^e 
up to tlie girts, and to have a Pew upon each side of the pulpit and owne each 
side of the fore door, all 4 in number, and the rest fitted up with seats. 

From tlie last vote I infer tliat the new house was nearly 
ready for occupation in 1749. It was not completed, how- 
ever, for many years. 

At last, Dec. 4, 1752, the business of seating was taken up. 
Stephen Curtis and William Curtis were placed in the fore 
seat ; Ezekiel Sanford and Phineas Royce in the pew by the 
pulpit stairs; Samuel Curtis and Benjamin Upson in the 
pew next to the nortli side of the pulpit ; Jonathan Cook and 
John Humaston in the second seat ; William Andruss in the 
third seat. 

Under date of Dec. T, 1753, I find a classification of the 
seats, according to rank, designed as a guide to the seating 
committee. Here is the record : 

Dignifying ye meeting house by sosiaty meeting as followeth — first, the fore 
seats ; 2d y® pews by the pulpit stares ; bd y* pews ioining to the pulpit north ; 4th 
y« pews by y^ fore dore ; y* second seat ; the Little pew ; y^ pew at the South 
end windo and the pew in opposition at y^ north end ; corner pew at y* South 
west corner and the pew at y* north west corner ; the 3d seat and the pew by the 
south dore and the pew by the north door ; the 4th seat ; the pew by the South 
stares and the pew by the north stares and next y« hind scat ; y^ front seat in y® 
galery next to y^ 3d seat and y» fore seat in y^ galery next to y« pews by the 
north dore. 

From what can be gathered, I conclude that the meeting 
house was probably begun in 1746 ; that it was occupied, in 
mild weather, in 1750 ; that it was glazed and the lower part 
put in order for use throughout the year in 1753 ; that 
the galleries were not fitted up till 1762, and that the house 
was not finally finished till 1768. 

Early in 17S3, the question of erecting a new meeting house 
was agitated, and in April, a vote (63 to 20) in favor of 
building was passed. At the same time, a committee was cho- 
sen to apply to the County Court to say where it should be 
placed. But there was delay, and another Committee was se- 
lected for the same purpose, in Jan. 1788. In March, 1790, it 
was decided that the house should be sixty-five feet by forty- 
five, and a tax be laid of Is, on the pound, to be paid in sheep, 
neat cattle, grain and building materials, the price of the lat- 



IIISTOKY OF WATERBURT. 2<0 

ter to be fixed by a committee. Daniel Potter, J. A. Wright, 
Isaac Curtis and Zacliariah Ilitclicock were the building com- 
mittee, and were directed to inqnire what tlie house would 
cost — the work to be done by the "jobb," They reported 
that Capt. Thomas Dutton and his son, Thomas Dutton, 3d, 
proposed to erect it, sixty-five feet by forty-five, for £727, 
19s. ; or, if it was made two feet smaller each way, for £700. 
The last proposition was accepted. In November, the society 
directed a committee to contract with Capt. Dutton and his 
son to add a steeple to the house, provided £150 conld be 
raised by subscription for that object. In December, 1792, 
the building appears to have been nearly finished. 

Previous to 1780, "Westbury and Nortlibury were indepen- 
dent ecclesiastical societies only. It was now proj^osed to 
form them into a distinct township. At a town meeting in Wa- 
terbury, March, 1780, a vote was passed to prefer a petition 
to the General Assembly, at their next session, that the socie- 
ties of Westbury and Northbury might be incorporated into a 
separate town and annexed to the county of Litchfield, said new 
town to quit-claim all right to the school and ministerial moneys, 
&c., &c. At the same time, Joseph Hopkins and others were 
chosen a committee to meet and consider the interests involved 
in the separation, and to arrange the details and report make at 
the next meeting. In May following, (1780,) the societies, for 
themselves, petitioned the Legislature for town privileges, and 
at the same session were incorporated, receiving the name of 
Watertown. ISTothing is said in the act about school and min- 
isterial moneys. 

Jan. 14, 1782, Messrs. Aaron Benedict, Ashbel Porter, Dr. 
Abel Bronson and Capt. John Welton were chosen on the 
part of Waterbury to meet the selectmen of Watertown, and 
run the line between the two towns. Their report may be 
found in the second Book of Highways. 

In May, 1740, forty individuals, twenty-nine of them de- 
scribed as living in " Derby woods," (northwest part of Der- 
by,) five in " Southbury woods" (southeast part of Woodbury) 
and six in " Waterbury woods," (southwest part of Water- 
bury,) petitioned the General Court for society privileges. 
Those residing within the limits of Waterbury were Isaac 



276 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

Trowbridge, Joliii '^Veed, Jonas Weed, Joseph Weed, Tlioinas 
Osborn and Joseph Osborn.* They stated that they lived from 
seven to ten miles from houses of public worship, with bad 
roads to travel and a river to cross, and that they were £2,000 
in the list. The Assembly appointed a committee to inquire 
into the grounds of the petition. They reported a boundary 
line for the society in Oct. The two houses disagreed, and a 
new committee was appointed, who recommended the same 
bounds. Their report was accepted and approved, and the 
society incorporated, May, 1741, by the name of Oxford. 

In the same year, (1741,) Oxford parish voted to build a 
meeting house, and petitioned the Assembly to send a com- 
mittee to designate the place for setting it. The request was 
complied with, and the place selected was the south end of 
"Jacks Hill." In May, 1743, the people asked liberty " to 
embody " themselves " in church estate," in order to settle a 
minister. In Oct. 1743, the clerk of the parish reported to 
the Assembly that the meeting house w^as " inclosed ;" in Oct. 
1744, that it was " being finished ;" in May, 1747, that it was 
glazed and the floors laid ; in May, 1749, that it was plastered 
and the seats and pulpit " being prepared." 

April 29, 1793, Joseph Hopkins, agent of the town, was 
directed to oppose the application of the society of Oxford to 
the Assembly for town privileges. In October, 1795, a vote 
was passed to resist a renewed attempt having the same object. 
A similar course was taken in April, 1796, when still another 
attempt was made. In October, 1796, however, the desired 
act of incorporation was obtained, and the new town was called 
Oxford. 

In May, 1757, certain individuals, thirty-three in number, 
living in the western part of Waterbury, first society, and the 
contiguous parts of Westbury, Oxford, Southbury and the old 
society of Woodbury, petitioned the Assembly for winter 
privileges.! They pleaded that some of their number lived 

* About 1760, the following persons bearing lists were inhabitants of the Waterbury portion 
of Oxford society. They were signers of a petition of the western people for a new society to 
be called Middlebury. Their lists are annexed :— Robert Hale, £18 ; Urah Ward, £89, 7s.; Dan- 
iel Hawkins, £37, 12s.; Samuel Woodruff; £41, IGs.; Noah Cande, £18; Andrew Weed, £21 ; 
Daniel Osborn, £81, 10s.; John Weed, £o6, 15s.; David Judson, £8, 8s. 

t Twenty of the petitioners are recognized as belonging to Waterbury, fourteen to the first 
society and six to Oxford parish. More of them may have so belonged. 



IIISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 



277 



five or six miles and tlie nearest three miles from any place of 
public worship, and that it was extremely difficult for them 
and their families to attend the worship of God. 

The request was not granted, and in May, 1760, the petition 
was renewed, this time for parish privileges. The first society 
of Waterbury sent in a remonstrance. In it they stated that 
their whole list amounted to about £8,000 — that there Avere 
within the limits of the proposed new parish twenty-one taxa- 
ble persons, having lists amounting to £1,282, Cs. —that there 
lived in the east and northeast parts of the society, three miles 
or more from the center, twenty-eight tax payers, with lists 
equal to £1,312, 5s. — and that south from the center at the 
distance of from four to six miles, there were thirty-six tax- 
able persons whose lists footed up £2,226, 15s. The southern 
and eastern inhabitants, they contended, were, in each case, as 
much entitled to parish privileges as the memorialists, and 
might be expected to ask for them should the prayer of the lat- 
ter be granted. Should the society be thus cut up, the west- 
ern, eastern and southern portions, being taken away, there 
would be left within three miles from the meeting house [fifty- 
one] individuals, bearing lists in the aggregate of £3,117, 4s., 
without deducting £1,344, 4s. for the Church-of-England-men. 
"The eifect" of dismemberment, the remonstrants continued, 
" would be to cut us up into mouthfuls ready for the devourer."* 



* In connection with the remonstrance and to confirt 
taxpayers in the different sections of the old society, i 
copy of the document. (The shillings and pence in the ( 

" Old Stump or Town Spot [Town Center] 



1 its representations, the names of the 
•ith their lists, w-ere given. Here is a 
iriginal are omitted.) 



James Hull, 


£103 


Samuel Scott, Jr., 


£00 


Dea. Thomas Clark, 


£144 


Andrew Bronson, 


93 


Obadiah Scovill, 


117 


Benjamin Scott, 


51 


ElnathanJudd, 


4T 


George Prichard, 


49 


Samuel Barnes, 


31 


Daniel Barnes, 


23 


Daniel Welton, 


65 


Ebenezer Waklee, 


93 


Dea. Thomas Bronson, 


91 


Joseph Hopkins, 


90 


Comfort Upson, 


14 


Capt. Thomas Porter, 


149 


John Cole, 


20 


William Scott, 


41 


Havid Crisse, 


33 


Timothy Clark, 


44 


AViUiam Ilickox, 


52 


Lt. Obadiah Richards, 


104 


Capt. Stephen Upson, 


44 


Samuel Warner, 


CO 


Abijah Richards, 


51 


Stephen Upson, Jr., 


114 


Benjamin Harrison, Jr 


■., 29 


Joseph Nichols, 


53 


Moses Frost, 


U 


Samuel Root, 


48 


Samuel Frost, 


6!y 


John Slawter, 


58 


Jonathan Baldwin, 


45 


William Rowle, 


55 


Benjamin Harrison, 


46 


Ezra Bronson, 


12 


David Prichard, 


31 


Aaron Harrison, 


53 


John Selkrig, 


18 


Timothy Scott, 


8S 


Elizabeth Porter, 


17 


Isaac Prichard, 


51 


Daniel Killum, 


45 


Thomas Upson, 


64 


William Adams, 


91 


Asa Scovill, 


39 


Elisha Frisbe, 


63 






Edmund Tompkins, 


110 


Ebenezer Bronson, 


73 


No. 51. 


£3,117 


Samuel Williams, 


50 


Reuben Blakeslee, 


22 







278 



HISTORY OF WATEREUEY. 



Tlie petition was not granted. A like fate attended another 
presented in Oct., and still another in May, 1761. The last 
had fifty -fonr signers. 

In 1786, the old society agreed to pay for preaching the then 
ensning winter, eight sabbaths, at West Farms. In 1787, they 
appropriated £9 for the same object. In 1790, West Farms and 
the adjoining portions of Woodbury and Southbury were made 
into a distinct society by the name of Middlebury. The church 
was organized in 1796. Seth Bronson and J^athan Osborn 
were appointed deacons. The first minister, Eev. Ira Hart, 
was installed in 1798, and was dismissed April Stli, 1809. 
His successor was Mark Mead. 

In June, 1800, the society of Middlebury petitioned the 
Assembly for an act conferring on them town rights. Wa- 



West Branch three miles 


[or 


more] from meeting 


house. [These were the petitioners for 


parish privileges.] 










Amos Scott, 


£46 


Benj. Wilmot, 


£108 Abner Monson, 


£35 


James bronson, 


76 


Stephen Aljbott, 


82 Isaac Bronson, 


140 


Ebenezor Ricliason, 


69 


John Scott, 


39 Isaac Bronson, Jr., 


41 


Ephraim Bissel, 


21 


Edmund Scott, 


24 Eunice Scott, 


13 


Dr. P. [Peter] Powers, 


78 


Stephen Miles, 


63 David Miles, 


29 


Thomas Mallory, 


CO 


Ebenezer Lawton, 










Josiah Bronson, 


163 


Nathaniel Richason, 


50 No. 21. £1,282, 6s. 


Benj. Bristol, 


46 


Thomas Richason, 


56 




East Branch [afterwards Wolcott] three miles [or more] from the meetinghouse. 




Thomas Welton, 


£S3 


William Cole, 


£9 William Monson, 


£13 


Benjamin Nichols, 


34 


Roger Prichard, 


96 Daniel Alcock, 


48 


John Alcock, Jr., 


54 


James Basset, 


55 James Alcock, 


42 


John Alcock, 


SI 


Joseph Beach, 


54 William Woodward, 


6 


Benjamin Benham, 


40 


Isaac Cleaveland, 


29 Isaac Hopkins, 


151 


Seth Bartholomew, 


52 


Joseph Sutliff, 


g6 Barnabas Lewis, 


36 


Joseph Sutliflf, Jr., 


7 


Shadrick Benham, 


26 Abial Roberts, 


73 


Cornel Johnson, 


45 


Josiah Adkins, 


85 Josiah Rogers, 


49 


Eldad Mix, 


22 


William Hickox, 










Edward Rogers, 


21 


Abial Roberts, Jr., 


2 No. 28. £1,261 


I, Is. 


South Branch [afterward 


s Nau 


igatuck] three miles [o 


r more] from meeting house. 




Abraham Wooster, 


£76 


Stephen Warner, 


£66 Charles Warner, 


£47 


Stephen Hopkins, 


111 


Isaac Scott, 


44 Enoch Scott, 


41 


Israel Terrel, 


11 


John Hopkins, 


144 Thomas Porter, Jr., 


84 


Lt. John Lewis, 


161 


Amos Osborn, 


74 Aaron Terrell, 


38 


Capt. G[ideon] Holchkiss, 


, 1"4 


Ira Beebe, 


16 Benjamin Tinker, 


29 


Samuel Lewis, 


119 


Israel Calkins, 


3 Stephen Hopkins, Jr., 


91 


Samuel Porter, 


65 


Gideon Hickox, 


158 Ebenezer Judd, 


26 


Isaac Judd, 


56 


William Hoadley, 


lis Simeon Beebe, 


28 


Gideon Scott, 


40 


Samuel Hoadley, 


21 John Terrell, 


48 


Moses Terrell 


52 


Benjamin Prichard, 


13 Isaac Spencer, 


79 


George Scott, 


25 


Elnathan Prichard, 










Dan. Williams, 


45 


Joseph Sperry, 


31 No. 36. £2,226, 


15s. 


Oliver Terrell, 


51 


Samuel Scott, 


90 





HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 270 

terbmy resolved to oppose the application ; but, at tlie same 
time, chose a committee to confer with the memorialists and 
"hear their propositious," &c. The committee were Messrs. 
Joseph Hopkins, Noah Baldwin and John Kingsbury. The 
society was finally incorporated, with town privileges, in 
1807. 

So far as ascertained, the first settler within the limits of pre. 
sent Wolcott was John Alcock of New Haven. He bought, 
March 31, 1731, of Josiah Sogers of Branford, for £83, 117i 
acres of land on Spindle Hill, described as in the northeast 
quarter near Ash Swamp or Potnckco's Ring, (in the north- 
west j)art of the present town of Wolcott,) on which he settled 
with a young family in the same year. He was admitted as 
an inhabitant, Dec. 13, 1731. In subsequent years, he added 
largely to his landed estate. After Alcock, Isaac Hopkins, 
(tanner,) Thomas Weltou, Eliakim Welton, Roger Prichard, Jo- 
se]3h Beach, Eldad Mix, Shadrick Benham, Abiel Roberts and 
others became settlers. 

In Oct. 1760, certain individuals living in the contiguous 
territory of Waterbury, Farmington and " Southington long 
lots, on the Mountain," numbering twenty-eight, petitioned 
the Assembly to make them a distinct societ3^ They stated 
that they occupied a tract of land five miles square, were 
£2,000 in the list and lived an inconvenient distance from 
places of public worship. The western inhabitants were peti- 
tioners at the same session, also asking parish privileges. 
Waterbury first society remonstrated. They said that the 
eastern memorialists (belonging to their society) numbered 
seventeen and stood £811, 14s. in the list — that there were 
twenty-five of the western memorialists (embraced in the first 
society) who were £1,360, 13s. in the list — and that there were 
thirty-four taxpayers having an united list of £2,220, not em- 
braced in either of the proposed parishes, who lived three, 
four or six miles southwardly from the meeting house, and 
who were as well entitled to society privileges as the signers 
of either of the memorials. 

The remonstrants farther declared that the land out of the 
center, for two or three miles each way, was broken and bar- 
ren, so that, though the town had been settled for nearly one 



280 UISTOHY OF ^VATEEBUKY. 

Imndrcd years, the number of tliose bearing lists living within 
two and a half miles of the meeting house, exclusive of Epis- 
copalians, was but sixty-six, M-ith an aggregate list of £3,669, 
7s. 4d. These were the facts, they continued; and if the 
prayers of the memorialists are granted and two new societies 
made, a third would be asked for, embracing the southern in- 
habitants, and could not with justice be refused. If the three 
sections were taken oif, they contended, they would be "strip- 
ped of almost all the inhabitants but those that live within : 
about a quarter of a mile of the meeting house." Such action, 
" they were of the mind, must lay the foundation for the ruin 
of the society, since the lines [spoken ofj comprehend about all 
the feasible land on each side." 

The petition was rejected, as was another with forty-three 
signers, in May, 1762. 

In Oct. 1762, the eastern people, numbering thirty-eight, 
renewed their petition, and the committee of the old society 
again remonstrated. The latter represented that the memorial- 
ists living in Waterbury numbered twenty-one with an united 
list of £998 — that the west line of the prop>osed parish came 
within two miles of the meeting house, " and it might almost 
as well come quite to it as it includes all the inhabitants that 
way except two or three families " — that " there were two 
distant parts more (besides the memorialists) in this society, 
at as great a distance as they and each of them bigger in num- 
ber and list (viz.) at South Farms numbering forty eight and 
£2,407 in list, and at West Farms twenty three, and £1,418 in 
list." The remonstrants continued : 

So there are three several parts under just the same need, and so the whole so- 
ciety with £8,000 list wants to be divided into four different societies. [ * * ] 
If these distant parts are exempted from taxes, the Old Spot would have fifty sev- 
en bearing hsts and £3,139 in list. 

The tenor of the memorial leads to distraction and not edification, [ * * ] 
and the granting of it would be as the letting forth of waters that will soon over" 
whelm us in ruin [ * * ]. Very sorry our brethren should oblige us so of- 
ten to trouble the Hon. Assembly with repeated accounts of our situation and 
leanness, especially in such times as these we live in. 

We [the committee] being concerned in making and collecting i-ates, have 
enough to do to keep from starving out the gospel, by collecting the moderate 
sums granted, which is a very difficult spot of work in instances not a few, unless 
we would drag men to jayl, or destrain from them by force what we are sensible- 
they know not how to do without. 



mSTORY OF WATERBUET. 281 

Notwithstanding tlie cogency of tliis reasoning, the people 
of Farmingbnry (so called) were allowed to hire preaching five 
months in the year and to set up a school, and in the mean- 
time to be exempt from other society and school taxes. But 
the line established as the western limit of the winter parish 
was not satisfactory to the first society. Their committee 
complained that it came within two miles of the meeting 
house and extended " south as far as a due east line." They 
prayed (May, 1763) that the act granting winter privileges 
might be annulled, or a committee sent to view the circum- 
stances, &c. A committee was appointed and continued till 
May, 1763, when they made a report and recommended that 
the limits of the winter parish should be contracted, the south 
end of the western line being made to run farther east. The 
Farmingbury people, by a committee, resisted this movement. 
They complained that the Assembly's committee went beyond 
instructions, and prayed that the existing line might be con- 
firmed, or that they might be incorporated into a distinct soci- 
ety, the expense to be paid by the old society. Sixteen of the 
inhabitants, however, to be included in the new parish re- 
monstrated against such incorporation. The result was, the 
Assembly approved the report of their last committee, and 
denied the adverse petition. 

In the spring of 1767, thirty-one petitioners of the winter 
parish requested society privileges, and asked that the limits 
of the society might be extended into New Cambridge, (since 
Bristol.) They said they numbered seventy-one families, and 
had a list of £3,872, 8s. (The list of the old society was then, 
exclusive of Chnrchmen and Baptists, £9,854, lis. 3d.) The 
petition was denied, as was a new one in Oct. 1768, with fifty- 
two signers. 

In the spring of 1770, another i)etition was presented, bear- 
ing forty-nine names, praying that they, the memorialists, 
might be made a distinct society. The subject was continued 
to the Oct. session, and a committee appointed to view the 
circumstances. They reported that ^they " fonnd within the 
limits described about ninety persons that bare lists and about 
sixty eight families, exclusive of the Chnrcli of England, and 
tlie sum total of their lists to be about £3,900." The report 



282 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

was accepted and a society incoq^orated, Kov. 1770, by the 
name of Farniingbury. A year afterwards, the parish asked 
for a land tax of 3d. an acre for four years. The request was 
granted. 

In December, 1787, the inhabitants of Farniingbury pre- 
sented a memorial, in town meeting, giving reasons why they 
should be incorporated into a distinct town, and asking the 
consent of the meeting. A committee was appointed to take 
the matter into consideration and hear the proposals that 
might be made " concerning public moneys, bridges and 
town's poor," &c., and report make. Josiah Bronson, Stephen 
Ives, Aaron Benedict, Ezra Bronson, John Welton and Sam- 
uel Lewis were the committee. " It is rather a doubt in our 
minds," they reported, " of the expediency of granting them 
their request, on any consideration whatever, but more espe- 
cially upon the offers and proposals in several articles by 
them " made. 

Oct. 8, 1792, Farniingbury applied to the Legislature for 
the desired act of incorporation. The town voted, that if the 
memorialists would within eight days give up all right to the 
ministerial and school moneys, pay twenty pounds in consid- 
eration of being released from supporting the great bridge on 
the Woodbury road, bind themselves to take care of their 
proportion, according to the grand list, of the town poor, and 
to pay their share of the town debts, then, in that case, the 
town Avould not oppose the object of the memorial. 

In the spring of 1796, Farmingbury was made a distinct 
town by the name of Wolcott, and Waterbury " appointed a 
committee to settle and adjust all matters and concerns be- 
tween " the two towns. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUET, 283 



CHAPTER XYIIL 



MR. LEAVENWORTH'S MINISTRY: THE THIRD MEETING HOUSE. 

Till 1738, when Westbuiy was incorporated, all ecclesias- 
tical matters, at present considered as belonging to tlie society, 
were managed by tlie town. At this period, however, it be- 
came necessary that these matters shonld be nnder the exclu- 
sive direction of the different societies. As there are now no 
known records of the iirst society of Waterbury bearing an 
earlier date than 1806, and no church records anterior to 1795, 
additional difficulties are thrown in the way of writing a con- 
nected ecclesiastical history. The society's records were in ex- 
istence a few years ago, and possibly may again turn up, on 
removing the forgotten rubbish from somebody's garret. The 
facts which will be given have been gleaned, in part, from 
some brief notes taken from the lost records some thirty years 
ago, by the late Bennet Bronson. 

The first meeting of the first society of Waterbury appears 
to have been held Nov. 16, 1738, at which time, John South- 
mayd, Jr. was chosen clerk, l^ot long after Mr. Southmaj^d's 
release from his ministerial charge, a Mr. Buckingham was 
invited to become the minister, but he refused. In June, 
1739, a " call " was made out for the Rev. Mark Leavenworth, 
a graduate of Yale College, in 1737, a native of Stratford, with 
an ofter of £500 settlement and £150 salary. He was ordain- 
ed in March, 1740. Towards his " settlement," several per- 
sons gave by deed certian tracts of land. Thus, Dec. 1, 1739, 
Moses Blakeslee, " of New Haven," (then about to remove to 
Waterbury,) gave ten acres in the undivided lands ; Jeremiah 
Peck ten acres ; Isaac Bronson seven acres and a half ; Stephen 
Hopkins seven and a half acres ; Stephen Upson, Thomas 
Clark, John Bronson, Thomas Bronson and John Judd, each 
five acres ; all " for the use of the ministry in said society in 
settlement." Soon afterwards, Thomas Judd deeded seven 



254 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



selves during the winter montlis, at their own expense, a min- 
ister, and of being exempt during the time from old parish I 
rates. In October, 1732, thej petitioned the General Court as ' 
follows : 



That whereas a Considerable Xuniber of families in the Northwest Corner of the 
bounds of Waterbury town, by Reason of their Great Distance from y« meeting 
house which is to Seuerall Nine miles and to those that are nearest about three 
and Exceeding bad way and more Especally by Reason of a great Riuer which is 
called Waterbury Riuer which for Greatpart of the winter and Spring is not pass- 
able, are debared the hearing of the word preached to the number of aboue thirty 
families, having mctt to Gather Sepr 1732 and appointed in behalf of us Your me- 
morialists the Subscribers then and there to petition to the town of waterbury for 
an abatement of our parts of the ministers Rate for the space of four months. Viz. 
the three winter months of this present winter coming and the month of march 
next in Case we Should hire a minister on our own Charge to preach the word among 
us which they the Rest of s^ town Refusing we haue appointed Deacon Samuel 
Brown and Lieut: Samuel Heacock our Committee to Represent and Lay our Dificult 
Surcumstances before this Honourable assembly and the Humble prayers of Your 
memorialests Saml Brown and Saml Heacock in behalf of that part of the aforesd 
agrieved Inhabitants being for Considerable part of the year wholy Debared bear- 
ing the word of God preached, is that we may have the liberty to hire a min- 
ister for the space of those four months before mentioned (being the most Difi- 
cult part of the Year) at our own Charge and that we may also have an abatement 
of our parts of the ministers Rate and Be Discharged from paying the minister of 
the town of waterbury During s'* four months as we haue aminister among us 
Either for this present Year or for alonger time as You in Your Great wisdom 
shall think best, and your memorialests shall as in Duty Bound Ever pray. 

Dated oct. 4th: 1732. Saml Brown. 

Saml Heacok. 

[The preceding is from the original file, on the back of which are the following 
names, thirty -two in number, in one handwriting :] 

Cap. Wm. Heacock, Ebnr. Warner, 

Dr. John Warner, Elieazar Scott, 

Mr. John Sutley, Ebnr. Kelsey, 

Mr. Jonathan Scott, Senr., Jon'n Priudle, 



Jonathan Scott, Junr.. 
Moses Brunson, 
Ebnr. Richardson, 
David Scott, 
John Bronson, 
Gershom Scott, 
Saml. Thomas, 



Nathaniel Arnold, 
Wm. Scofield, 
Thomas Jud, Junr.. 
Obadiah Scott, 
Edwd. Scofield, 
Thomas Heacok, 
Saml. Jud, 



Saml. Towner, 
Henry Cook, 
Joseph Hurlbut, 
Elnathan Taylor, 
Isaac Caswell, [Castle,] 
Joseph Nicols, 
Jonath. Kelsey, 
Jon'n Foot, 
Saml. Heacock, 
Saml. Brown. 



A committee, consisting of Mr. Joseph Lewis and Mr. Ste- 
phen Upson, was appointed by the town to appear before the 
Assembly and oppose the movement ; but tlie prayer was 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 255 

granted, notwitlistanding, and the privilege allowed for fonr 
years. 

In the midst of the movement of population to the north- 
west, or March 13, 1732-3, " the centre of the society that 
shall there be allowed " to the extent of one mile and a half 
each way, making a tract of three miles square, was seques- 
tered by the proprietors for the town's use. The act was 
not to prejudice former grants and divisions not laid out. 
What its object was does not appear ; but I suspect it was de- 
signed to retard the settlement of that quarter of the town. 
At a meeting held Jan. 12, 1Y47-8, " the proprietors finding 
a sequestration made at Westbury of three miles square," 
did by their vote " set aside and make void " the same. 

In the spring of 1733, " the northwest inhabitants " asked 
the General Assembly, in a memorial, to set them off as a dis- 
tinct society. They said that they had hired a minister — Mr. 
Daniel Granger ; that they " are universally suited in him," 
and flatter themselves that " he is not ill pleased " with them. 
The town, they continued, had already " agreed that there 
may be a society in the northwest quarter of the bounds in a 
convenient time," and had chosen a committee of six to run 
the parish lines. The petition was not granted. 

Under date of March 14th, 1733-4, the town voted, accord- 
ing to the record, to make no opposition to the application of 
the northwest inhabitants to the General Assembly for a com- 
mittee to fix the bounds of the new society, the expense being 
defrayed by the latter. A few days afterwards, at another 



Voted that a Committee be Chosen by the Town to Consider y® Scircumstances 
of the North West part of the Town and Settle A line In order to Make A Society 
— And Voted that the worshipfull Joseph Whiting Sq', Cap. Roger Nuton of 
Milford, Capt John Russell of Branford be a Committee to Consider the Surcum- 
stances of the Town as Above Sd and to Settle a line as Above Sd. 

When the question of the new society came before the Le- 
gislature in May, 1734, the town resisted the movement. They 
resisted it on the ground that the vote of March 14th, previ- 
ous, was not in fact passed. The certificate of the moderator 
of the meeting, Isaac Bronson, was produced, which affirmed 



28 G IIISTOEY OF WATEEBUKY. 

critical period. Until a short time previous, the general inter- 
ests, secular and religious, were conducted in a spirit of peace 
and harmony. Now, however, various causes concurred to de- 
stroy this concord. Westbury was incorporated in 173S and 
Northbury in 1739. From the moment these societies were or- 
ganized, separate and indeed opposing interests sprung up. The 
town foresaw the difficulties and for a time opposed the division ; 
but at last yielded to the necessity and propriety of the thing. 
After the separation, the different societies regarded their spe- 
cial interests chiefly. They even went so far as to nominate, 
in their meetings, town officers, which were recommended to 
the town voters on election days. These attempts, on the part 
of the different societies, to forestall action in matters belong- 
ing exclusively to the town, at last became so annoying as to 
call forth a rebuke. The town voted, Dec. 12, 1748, that the 
nominations " brought in by Westbury and JSTorthbury " were 
"not to be regarded ; it being the proper work of this day to 
nominate and choose officers as the law directs." 

Other difficulties grew out of the public funds. The first, 
or old society, claimed all the ministerial property, thus leav- 
ing the people of "Westbury and Northbury without re- 
sources from this quarter, (though they or their fathers may 
have contributed to the original fund.) The latter were of 
course dissatisfied with this state of things. They also saw 
troubles in the future concerning the school moneys. They 
looked forward to the time when their parishes should be made 
separate towns. Then, the old town would assert her exclusive 
right to the school property. The discussions connected witli 
these exciting topics, as might be expected, were not always 
conducted in the best temper. Much bad feeling was engen- 
dered. 

In 1710, that wonderful man Wliitfield appeared in ]^ew 
England, and preached with amazing power in several places 
in Khode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. All classes 
caught the enthusiasm, and Kew England was in a blaze of ex- 
citement. A Revival such as modern times had not before wit- 
nessed was the consequence. With the intensity of feeling, 
there was the usual mixture of bad passions. Great diversity 
of sentiment and angry controversy followed. Strange opin- 



DISTOKY OF "WATERBURY. 287 

ions and irreguliir and disorderly practices sprung np. Minis- 
ters forsook tlieir pulpits and became itinerants, and lay 
preachers with more zeal than knowledge were common. 
All took sides. Those who favored the new doctrines and 
practices were called Kew Lights, while those who chose to 
adhere to the good old ways of their fathers, discountenan- 
cing innovation, were denominated Old Lights. The clergy 
were divided ; " while the magistrates and princij)al gentle- 
men of the commonwealth" were on the side of the Old 
Lights. Oppressive laws were enacted and ecclesiastical dis- 
cipline attempted, but all in vain. The excitement extended 
to Waterburj', and Mr. Leavenworth, a young man of warm 
impulses, sympathized with the l^ew Lights, while Mr. South- 
mayd, more distrustful of appearances, sided with the Old 
Lights. Some of the meetings of the ISTew Lights were ex- 
tremely boisterous and disorderly, so that, on one occasion, 
John Southmayd, Jr., a constable of the town, felt himself 
justified in appearing in their midst and commanding the 
peace of the commonwealth.* The consequence of all this 
was much exasperation of feeling mixed up with religious 
zeal. Mr. Leavenworth's ardor led him into difficulty. He, 
together with the Rev. Mr. Humphreys of Derby and the Rev. 
Mr. Todd of JSTorthbury, had assisted in the ordination of Mr. 
Jonathan Lee of Salisbury, who was suspected of the New 
Light heresy. They were all brought before the Association, 
and suspended from all " association al communion. "f 

Owing to the general phrenzy which had taken hold of the 
people, the churches were convulsed and many of them rent 
into fragments. The old society of Waterbury suftered great- 
ly. Many, annoyed and disgusted with what they saw, turned 
Churchmen. Among them was constable Southmayd, the son 
of the former minister. He was one of the subscribers, in 
174:2, to the fund for building the new Episcopal church. 
Soon, however, he returned to the society he had left. 

Other causes, having their origin in religious differences, con- 
spired to destroy the good feeling which had previously prevail- 
ed. The Church of England claimed to be the established reli- 

* B. Bronson's Manuscripts. t Trumbull, II, p. 196. 



288 HISTORY OF AVATERBURY. 

gion of the Colony, and tlie Congregationalists everywhere were 
dechired dissenters. Our fathers were provoked and alarmed 
by this (as they deemed it) extraordinary arrogance. They 
had crossed the ocean and subdued the wilderness ; endured 
hardships and encountered dangers that they might find an 
asylum for their religion, where they might worship God ac- 
cording to their consciences. E'ow they saw with sorrow 
that they were not safe in their retreat. The same dread pow- 
er from which they had fled still threatened them. Episcopa- 
cy was spreading in different quarters. Several years before, 
Rector Culter of Yale College and other clergymen in the 
neighborhood forsook their charges and went to England to 
receive Episcopal ordination, no other being considered valid. 
They returned to this country as missionaries in the service 
of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 
This was a powerful society in England, with ample fund-;. 
'New England w^as an important field of its operations, and the 
religious disorders of the country favored its action. Nearly 
all the Episcopal clergy were in its pay. The Congregational- 
ists of Waterbury observed with apprehension the movement 
making among themselves in favor of Church-of-Englandism . 
So great were their fears from this qnarter, that they re- 
quired their new minister, Mr. Leavenworth, to give a bond 
for £500 to be paid to the society, " if he should wdtliin twenty 
years from that time [Nov. 21st, 1739] become a Churchman, 
or by immorality or heresy render himself unfit for a gospel 
minister, to be decided by a council." The course of their 
enemies in opposing the payment of the £100 voted to Mr. 
Sonthmayd, and their conduct in ISTorthbury, showed organi- 
zation and determination, and proved that their fears were 
semething more than an apparition. Thus the elements of 
agitation and conflict were at work in all directions. For a 
long time, those of opposite religious views could not agree 
to differ. The doctrine of toleration in matters of religious 
opinion had not then been learned. It was new to the world. 
No living examples existed by which its real nature and practi- 
cal workings could be studied. All sought religious liberty for 
themselves, but nobody thought of conceding it to others. x\t 
last all Yielded to its advantages and its necessity, and peace 



..Vfflt4I577 BTSJS.WEL SAHTArNmilJWEL/'BU 



^^.^^^^/^rT^n^ 



J K^/iyfrmttrNr. 



292 



HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 



as an inducement for its removal. Scarcely, liowever, had it 
reached its resting place, when a project was started, and after 
considerable delay carried throngh, of putting np another 
and more fashionable house. The old building at length 
passed into the hands of Mr. Scovill above named, by 
whom it was fitted up for offices and public rooms. It re- 
ceived the name of Gothic Hall. Subsequently, it was re- 
moved again to its present site in the rear of the Second Con- 
gregational church. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



EPISCOPACY IX WATERBURY. 



The movement which terminated in the formation of an Epis- 
copal church and society in Waterbury commenced at an early 
period, when there were but few Churchmen and three or four 
congregations in the Colony. It is stated that James Brown, 
who came from West Haven, in 1722, who had probably heard 
the preaching of Dr. Johnson of that place, a distinguished con- 
vert to Episcopacy, was the first of that persuasion in Water- 
bury. At what time Brown, profanely called Bishop Brown, 
was converted to the English church is not known. Probably 
it was not till after his removal from West Haven. In 1737, 
according to the Churchman's Magazine for 1807, there were 
in Waterbury not exceeding six or seven heads of families 
(Trumbull says but two or three*) in all who were of the same 
belief. In the course of the year mentioned, divine service, 

* Dr. Trumbull appears to have obtained his information from a manuscript letter of John 
Welton, Esq., of Buckshill, who was an early and influential member of the church, and who died 
in 1>16, aged 89. This letter will be found among Dr. Trumbull's papers in Yale College 
Library. 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 293 

for the first time, "according to tlie rites of the church," was 
perform ed in Waterbnrj, by Mr. Jonathan Arnold, a mission- 
ary of the ■ Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign 
Parts, who was at first settled in "West Haven as Dr. John- 
son's successor, and who at the time was a minister in orders 
for West Haven, Derby and Waterbury. He baptized two 
infants, both of whom were living in 1807, one a respectable 
member of the church ; and after having officiated a few 
times, removed out of the mission. Daring the period be- 
tween Mr. Arnold's removal and 1T40, Dr. Johnson, then of 
Stratford, and Mr. Beach of ISTewtown, visited "Waterbury 
occasionally, preaching and administering the ordinances. 
Kext, a Mr. Morris was appointed by the society in England 
to ofiiciate in this and other places in the neighborhood ; but 
he did not like the country, and soon (about 1742) returned 
to Europe. Rev. James Lyon, (an Irishman,) another mis- 
sionary, succeeded Mr. Morris, about 1743. He had charge of 
the three parishes named above, resided in Derby, preached 
one third of the time in "Waterbury, and after some four years 
removed to Brookhaven, Long Island, where he acted as a mis- 
sionary many years. Following his departure there was a 
vacanc3^for a time, during which printed sermons and prayers 
were read by some competent person, every Sunday. 

In 1749, Mr. Richard Mansfield, (afterwards D. D.,) a native 
of the Colony, returned from England " in holy orders," and 
took charge of the parishes of Derby, Waterbury and West 
Haven, living in Derby and ofliciating one third of the tim.e 
in each place. While under his charge, the church flourished 
much. He is described as a man beloved by his people and 
willing to make any sacrifices for their good. " No extremity 
of weather or badness of roads prevented his visiting the sick, 
baptizing children or committing to the earth the remains of 
his parishioners."* Mr. Mansfield continued in the mission 
till 1759, at which time he withdrew and occupied himself with 
the parishes of Derby and Oxford, with which he was con- 
nected many years. 

The prosperity of the Episcopal church in Waterbury dates 

* Rev. Chauncey Prindle ; MSS. published in the Chronicle of the Church, July fi, 1839. See 
also Churchman's Magazine, Vol. IV, pp. 12S, 171. 



294 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

from about 1740. In January of that year, certain persons 
" calling tlieraselves Churchmen " remonstrated, it will be re- 
membered, against paying Mr. Southmayd the £100 voted him. 
Their names, fifteen in number, were spread upon the town 
record and the list is interesting. Here it is : 

Ephraiin Wai-ner, Xathaniel Merrill, Caleb Thomson, 

Daniel Porter, Obadiah Warner, .James Williams, 

Robert Johnson, Richard Welton, Thomas Barnes, 

James Brown, Joseph Smith, Abraham Warner, 

Benjamin Warner, Ephraim Warner, Jr., Samuel Brown. 

[The above list is copied from the manuscripts, of the late Bennet Bronson. 
There is no record of town meetings between Dec. 1*738 and Dec. 1Y40. One 
leaf, perhaps more, of the record book is missing. It may have been lost in bind- 
ing. The missing portion was in existence some thirty years ago, as proved by 
the manuscripts referred to.] 

In this year (1740) came the great Eevival, bringing in its 
train extravagances and disorders. The Episcopal churcli gain- 
ed strength as the divisions and animosities in the old society 
increased. "Within a short time, it is stated, twenty-five 
heads of families were added to their numbers, and they re- 
solved, in 1742, to erect a church. The following persons 
were subscribers to a fund to defray the expense : 

James Brown, George Nichols, Richard Welton, 

John Barnes, Thomas Osborn, Richard Welton, 2d, 

Thomas Barnes, Daniel Porter, Eliakira Welton, 

Joseph Bronson, Jonathan Prindle, Ephraim Warner, 

Nathaniel Gunn, John Southmayd, [Jr.,] Ebenezer Warner. 
John Judd, 

The town was supplied to to provide the land on which the 
new house should be set, and the following vote was passed, 
Dec. 13, 1742 : 

Upon the request of Dr. Benjamin W'arner and others, the town, by vote, gave 
liberty to set up a church on the high way, north of Edmund Scott's house lott 
against the apple trees in said Scott's lot by the highway, and appoint the present 
townsman with John Southmayd a committee to agree with the said Scott to get 
some of his lot, if they can have it upon reasonable terms, that the house may be 
better accommodated and the highway less incumbered. 

For some reason not now understood, the ground above 
designated, and which is the same as that on which the pre- 
sent Episcopal church stands, was not obtained or not im- 



IIISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 295 

proved, and a year afterwards the town gave to "William Sclk- 
rigg tlie liberty to place a house on it. 

At another meeting, held April 10, 1743, in answ^er to a 
petition from those who " were about to set up a church," the 
town " did by vote agree that provided they purchased a place 
of any particular person to set their house upon and set it 
accordingly, they might have liberty to draw twelve pounds 
in money, old tenor bills, out of the town treasury to pay for 
the same." 

A few days after the above grant from the town, or April 
20, 1743, when the church had already been commenced, 
John Judd, who had recently become a Churchman, for £12 
money,* conveyed to James Bro%vn, Richard AVelton, Benja- 
min Warner, Moses Bronson, John Barnes, Eichard Welton, 
Jr., Robert Johnson, Jonathan Prindle, Xathaniel Gunn, Jos. 
Bronson and George Nichols, and " to others of the denomi- 
nation of the Church of England, or professors thereof," a 
piece of land, " to accommodate the setting up of a church," 
described as the southwest corner of his house lot, "where 
they are now raising a church," being forty-five feet on the 
south side, next the main street, twenty-eight feet on the west 
side, next to Willow street, fifty feet on the north, and thirty- 
nine on the east side. The church stood on a line with the 
east and west street near where Mr. C. C. Post's dwelling 
house is. 

At this stage of proceedings, or in February, 1743-4, the 
Church-of-England-men determined on a movement to obtain 
parish privileges. Without such privileges they could not lay 
taxes for building a church. Before going to the Legislature, 
however, they applied to the town to secure its good will. 
The town, in a liberal spirit, resolved that it would not oppose 
them in their application. Their petition, signed by thirty- 
eight persons, came before the Assembly in October, 1744, 
and was rejected. Here is the paper : 



* It is understood that this land was a donation by the grantor to the Episcopal church, not- 
withstanding a consideration is mentioned in the deed, and this consideration corresponds with 
the grant whicli had just been made by the town to purchase ground on which to place the 
church. 



296 



HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 



The Memorial of the subscribers being Professors of the Church of England 
and inhabitants of the Town of Waterbury in New Haven county, by their agent 
Doct. Benj. Warner of sd Waterbury, Humbly sheweth — 

That whereas your Honours Memoriullists, being Professors of the Church 
of England, and bound in Duty to carry on the Worship of God amongst 
us from which there arises considerable charges that are Necessary in order 
thereunto, as building a church and Keeping it in Repair with many other 
things of the Like Impoi-tance, Which charges (as we your Humble Memorialists 
think) could be Defrayed More conveniently by a Tax upon each person according 
to their List, as such charges are in the Parrishes estabhshed by the Laws of this 
colony, And there being no Law of this colony Enabling us to Lay and Gather 
such Taxes, Humbly pray that your Honours, in your Great goodness, would be 
pleased to Grant us Parrish Preveleges in Every perticular (the School only ex- 
cepted) as the Parrishes have estabhshed according to the Constitution of this 
Government, and your Memorialists as in Duty bound Shall ever pray. Waterbury 
April 22^. 1Y44.* 

Stephen Welton, Benjamin Warner, 

Zebulon Scott, John Judd, 

Eliakim Welton, Obadiah Warner, 

John Alcock, Jonathan Prindel, 

Joseph Brunson, Isaac Selkrigg, 

James Browne, Nathaniel Merrill, 

James Browne, Jr., Richard Welton, 

Joseph Browne, Joseph Judd, 

Daniel How, Richard Welton, Jr., 

John Browne, Edmund Scott, Jr., 

Thomas Barnes, Ebenezer Warner, 

Moses Brounson, Geoi'ge Nikols, 

Daniel Porter, Josiah Warner. 



Jonathan Scott, 
John Barns, 
Gershom Scott, 
Gamaliel Terril, 
Robert Johnson, 
Thomas Wehon, Jr., 
Timothy Porter, 
Nathan Hubbard, 
Benjamin Prichard, 
Thomas Welton, 
Nathan Prindel, 
Ebenezer Judd, 
Dr. Ephraim Warner, 



This catalogue of names may be supposed to represent 
nearly the entire strength of the new denomination at the 
date of the petition. I notice, however, the absence of three 
names which were on the paper of subscriptions for a clmrch, 
to wit, Kathauiel Grunn, Thomas Osborn and John South- 
mayd [Jr.] ; and of five names wliich are on the list of those 
who protested to the paying of Mr. Southmayd the £100 in 
1Y40, to wit, Joseph Smith, Caleb Thomson, James Williams, 
Abraham "Warner and Samnel Brown. Of these eight, John 
Southmayd, James "Williams and Samuel Brown had died and 
Caleb Thomson had already, probably, remov^ed to Har- 
winton. If we add the remaining four, all Churchmen, (and 



* Of course, the Assembly could not grant this petition without abandoning their system of 
legislation which made Congregationalism the religion of tlie State. Other Churchmen of other 
towns petitioned for corporate privileges with a like result. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 297 

all of whom were living in Waterbniy in 174:4, unless Joseph 
Smith is to be excepted,) to the thirty-eight petitioners, we have 
a total number of forty-two individuals, representing probably 
over two hundred persons, who were "professors [or adher- 
ents] of the Church of England," at this time. 

At what period the church was so far finished that it could 
be occupied, does not appear. It was apparently used to meet 
in as early as 174:4: or 1745 ; though it was probably not com- 
pleted till 1747, (or after,) in which year it is spoken of in a deed 
as " erecting and carrying on."' It was a small building, much 
smaller than the Congregational house, of a mean appearance, 
with galeries above and pews below, and a single door next the 
main street. It is distinctly remembered by our old people, and 
stood till after the new church Avas built in 1795. By the 
courtesy of the society, the Congregationalists met in it for 
worship while their own house was being erected in 1795. 
The " sabba' day house " which belonged to the church, or to 
those who met in it, was standing in front and a little to the 
south of William Brown's house till, say thirty-five years 
ago. 

In the mean time, accessions continued to be made to the 
church. A spirit of liberality animated its members, and 
several important donations were made to it. February 
11, 1744-5, Oliver Welton, a minor, with the consent of his 
guardian, John Southmayd, " for £65 money old tenor " to be 
paid by Dr. Benjamin Warner and others, professors of the 
Church of England, conveyed to them and their successors, " as 
agleeb for the use of the church forever," two acres of land orig- 
inally John Welton, Sen's, house lot, bounded east on Edmund 
Scott's house lot, west on said Southmayd's house lot, &c. 
This deed Welton* confirmed ten months afterwards, when he 
became of age. The land thus conveyed, it will be noticed, 



* Oliver Welton, considered as one of the most important benefactors of the Episcopal church 
of Waterbury, (the land spoken of being regarded as a donation,) was a son of John and a 
grandson of John, Sen., (an original proprietor.) He was born Dec. 24, 1724 ; served through 
the old French war; held the rank of ensign and afterwards of lieutenant; was in the action 
at Lake George and (according to the Churchman's Magazine) at " the repulse at Crown Point 
when the gallant Lord Howe was killed." Of those scenes he would speak, in his old age, with 
the greatest emotion, till the tears flowed and his utterance was choked. He died Nov. 10, 
1809. 



20S IIISTOKY OF AV.VTKKnrKV. 

lay a little Avcst of the present Episcopal cliurcli. March (>. 
l()44:-5, Jonathan Scott and Daniel Scott deeded to the sanio 
coniniittee, for the same pnrpose, (no consideration mentioned. ") 
seventeen and a half acres of woodland, westward of the 
town, which is still owned by the parish, and is situated in the 
"Park," so called. April 19, 174:5, John Judd, for £-21, old 
tenor, deeded to Benjamin AVarner, Joseph Bronson, and Jon- 
athan Prindle and their successoi's, tlcc, " as a glebe,"" six aiul 
three qnarter acres of land northward from the town, bound- 
ed west on the highway by the common fence, t!cc. The land 
thus described is situated on the east side of AVillow street, 
one hundred rods or so nortli of Main street, and is still in the 
possession of the parish. At the same time, and in the same 
deed, Thomas Barnes gave nine acres and tifty-eight rods lying 
westward of the old town plot lots, (recoriled in Book III, p. 
32C>.)* Two years atYer wards, (or March 25, 1717,) the com- 
mittee named in the several deeds, conveyed the lands men- 
tioned as follows : 

In considonition of £'00 old tenor money truly paid by Richard Weltou and 
sundry other persons, professors of the Church of England, [we] do hereby give 
and grant the following parcels of laud, intending the same for the first glebe 
lauds to endow a certain parish church in Waterbury, erecting and carrying on, 
for the better accomplishing the endeavours aforesaid, in great reverence and re- 
gard to the Church of England as established by law, and her excellent doctrines, 
service, unity and order preferable to any other upon earth, for the honor of God, 
the surest peace and comfort of oui-selves, neighbors and posterity, have founded 
the parish church aforesaid for the use .iforesaid, and for the endowment thereof 
do by these presents freely give, grant, convey and confirm unto the Society for 
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts the following pieces and parcels of land 
and buildings in Waterbury, that is to say — two acres of land with a house and 
fruit trees, [here the several parcels are described, all in trust,] — as soon as there 
shall be a rector according to the order of the church of England by law establish- 
ed, instituted and inducted, the premises shall be and inure to the use of such 
rector incumbent and his successors as the glebe lands of the said clunvh in fee 
simple forever. 

Soon after Oliver "Weltou's conveyance to the parish, a 
house for a parsonage was commenced by private subscription. 
Mr. Lyon reported m 1745, that it was then in the course of 
erection and was expected to be finished in the fall of that 

* All the above mentioned tracts of land are considered as gifts to the church by the grantors, 
though a specific sum is, in some instances, mentioned as the consideration. 



IIISTOEY OF WATEKBUKY. 2'ji) 

year.* Tlir; deed to the Society for Propagating the Gof^pel, 
in 1747, mentions " a house," ho the building was prohahly 
completed at the time anticipated, 

Tlie grand list of those connected with the Episcopal church 
amounted, in 1760, to £1,344, 4s. 

The first known record of the Episcopal societyf of AVater- 

bury is found in a copy, made apparently about 1770, of a 

former record, kept by Joseph Bronson. It relates to Mr, 

Scovill, to his visit to England for ordination, and to his pro- 

tivc settlement as the minister of the pari.sh. This is it: 

11, 1758, at a meeting of the oestrr [or parL»h] noted that we would gine 
ouil twenty pound -rtarlinjr a year and the a^e of the Gleeb prouiding he Got 
ig at hum [in England] and it wai! a Greed that we -ihoald baue half he 
• hum — at the same uestry, noted that we would Giue Him £^2-10 Star- 
') Carry him hum. 

Kev, James Scovill was the eldest son of Lieut, William 
Scovill, His father lived on the Abner Johnson place, on the 
west side of Willow street, just above Grove, probably in the 
same house which is now standing, and which I believe to be 
the most ancient dwelling within the limits of the old town. 
I had supposed that Rev, James Scovill was bom in it, (Jan. 
27, 1732-3,; just before the father sold out; but the family 
tradition is that he was bom in Westbury, (on Xova Scotia 
Hill.) though there are no traces of the father's residence there 
till Oct. 1733, James learned the weaver's trade, but some- 
what late in life became a member of Yale College, design- 
ing to enter the ministry. Before his graduation, in 1757, 
his father died, leaving him, by will, £200 to complete his 
education. He returned from England an ordained minister 
about 1759, and took charge of the mission, receiving from 
the society '• at home," £30 annually. He preached one half 
of the time in TTaterbury and the other half in Xorthbury 
and Xew Cambridge, (Bristol.) 

"With the exception of the copied record which has been 
given, the records of the parish, still in existence, begin in 
1761. Here is the first entry, followed by others bearing later 
dates : 

* Hawkins' Mlsaioa of the Charch of England, 

+ It will be remembered that the Episcopaliass were not organized into a legal tociety tfll 
after the Revolution. 



300 HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 

At a uestre lioldeein St Jemeses Church at Waterbury on the 6 day of aprel 1761 
— At sd vestry Mr. Thomos Osborn was chosen Clark by the request [of] Mr. 
James Scouel Timothy porter and John Welton was chosen Church Wordens — 
voted in sd uestry to give the widow harison £1-0-0 that was Due from her on 
account of sum work that her husband was to Due to the Church^^voted in sd 
vestry that Ebenezar Warner should assist in tuning the psalm — voted in sd ues- 
try that Sam'i Brown should a sist in tuning The psalm — voted in sd uestry that 
hezekiah Brown Should a Sist in tuning the psalm — voted in sd uestry that we 
will meet in the Church on Sundays and read prayers when Mr. Scouel is absent — 
noted in sd uestry that Mr. Scouil shall haue what is Due for the rent of the glebe. 

[March 17, 1762, David Warner, Abraham Hickox and Eleazer Prindle were chos- 
en societies committee and Timothy Porter, Jr., collector to gather Mr. Scovill's rate. 
The parish also voted that] Mr. Scovell shall have the foremost pew next the 
Broad alley in the East End of the Church. 

March 2<^, 1763, the vestry [parish] voted that they will be at the cost of a uestry 
Book — and that the money belonging to the church shall be laid out to furnish 
the communion table and to get a choshan for the pulpit and other things neces- 
sary for the pulpit and reading desk. — voted that Abraham Hickox, David War- 
ner and John Welton be a committee to take cair of the prudentials of the church 
— voted to raise Mr. Scovill's rate this present year, and to give him 1-J penny 
on the pound. 

March 6, 1764, the vestry chose John Welton and Daniel Brown church war- 
dens, and voted Mr. Scovill 1^ penny on the pound for the pi'csent year with- 
out any deduction for the glebe. 

[April 14, 1765, the first recorded christening took place, a vote having previ- 
ously been passed that such record be made. The name of the child was Micahi 
son of Noah Judd — sureties, Capt. Edward Scovill, Samuel Scovill, Sarah Brown. 
The sixth child christened was Amasa, son of Ebenezer Bronson, May 12th, 1765. 
He is still living, aged 92.] 

During tlie year 1765, the cliurcli j^eople in Westbnry erect- 
ed a church for themselves, which was placed in charge of Mr. 
Scovill. In consequence of his new duties, his services were 
withdrawn, in part, from Northbuiy and ~New Cambridge. 
The next year John "Welton and John Hickox were chosen 
church wardens, and Mr. Scovill was to have a rate of £30 
lawful money, annually. 

April 24, 1770, John Welton and Ephraim Warner were 
aj)pointed wardens, and a vote was passed " that Westbury 
shall have their part of Mr. Scovill's services of preaching, ac- 
cording as their list draws, till there shall come a minister to 
Northbury and New Cambridge." At another meeting in Oc- 
tober, the vestry voted " that we will pay £45 starling as a 
year's salary to be j^aid to the minister of the Church of Eng- 
land in case ISTorthbury and [New] Cambridge provide for 



IIISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 301 

themselves, which vote is to continue in force until the said 
Northbuiy and Cambridge obtain a benefaction from the 
society [in England]", In 1771, a minister was obtained for 
these places, and Mr. Scovill was enabled to confine his at- 
tention to Waterbnry and Westbury, preaching two-thirds of 
the time in Waterbury. 

April 15, 1772, Seba Bronson, Ilezekiah Brown, Eplia War- 
ner, Ebenezer Warner, Levi Welton, Ebenezer Bronson, Lem- 
uel Nichols, Stephen Welton and Benjamin Benham were 
chosen " Qnirresters." In April, 1781, Eicliard Welton and 
others were appointed a committee to repair and shingle the 
church. April 21, 1783, it was agreed "that Mr. Scovill 
should have liberty to pull down the glebe house, leaving the 
chimne}' and preserving the glass for the church." At the same 
time, Ephraim Warner and Benjamin Benham were chosen 
Avardens. 

After the close of the Revolutionary war, in 1783, the Soci- 
ety for Propagating the Gospel, etc., withdrew their missions 
from this country,* in pursuance of a plan which confined its 
operations to the dependencies of the British empire. Thus Mr. 
Scovill was deprived of a large share of his support ; but the 
English society offered him, if he would remove to New 
Brunswick, a liberal increase of salary, while, at the same 
time, the English government held out encouragement to cler- 
gymen in bounties of land. Mr. Scovill hesitated long as to 
his duty ; but he felt that he could not support his family on 
the salary which he had been accustomed to receive from his 
parishes alone. He offered to remain provided his whole in- 
come should continue to be what it had been while a benefi- 
ciary of the English society, but the offer was not accej^ted. 
His parishes had in fact become much weakened by removals 
and the war. His people, however, seemed anxious to retain 
him, and voted, Nov. 8, 1784, to give him £55 salary, " in- 
cluding Westbury's proportion, according to the original 
agreement." Afterwards, Sep. 1, 1785, a vote was passed, "to 



* It is estimated that during the forty-six years that the church of Waterbury was under the 
care of the English society, it received from it not less than six thousand dollars in money, be- 
sides liberal donations in boolis. [''History of the Church," in the Waterbury American, 
Jan. 15, 1S43.] 



6UZ HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

have Rev. Mr. Scovill's services in preaching one half of the 
time and to pay for the same," the amount being fixed at the 
next meeting, in December, at £45 [annually.] 

In 1785, Mr. Scovill, against the advice of some of his 
friends, went to New Brunswick. He did not, however, at 
once remove his family. For three successive years, he re- 
turned and officiated in the winter season in his old church. 
It is mentioned, in the parish record, that he was present at a 
vestry meeting March 24-, 1788. Soon after, he removed, with 
his family, to take permanent charge of his people in Kings- 
ton, Kings County, where he died Dec. 19, 1808, in the fiftieth 
year of his ministry. His widow, a daughter of Capt. George 
ISTichols, died in June, 1835, aged 93. (Sabine, in his " Loyal- 
ists," says she died in 1832, aged 90.) His son. Rev. Elias 
Scovill, succeeded to the mission in Kings County, and died in 
Kingston, Feb. 1841, aged 70. 

Mr. Scovill seems to have secured the respect and the con- 
fidence of his people. Under his ministrations they contin- 
ued regularly to increase in numbers and respectability until 
just before the breaking out of the war of the Revolution. 
And during the war, he conducted himself with so much dis- 
cretion, that though known to be a Royalist, he escaped the in- 
dignities and the violence which the Episcopal clergy of Con- 
necticut, with few" exceptions, suffered. He had the courage 
to continue with his people tln-ongh the war, though it is be- 
lieved he did not preach. 

Mr, Scovill w^as known for punctuality and faithfulness in 
the discharge of his duties. " He taught his people from 
house to house ; comforted the aged, instructed the young, 
and made himself agreeable to children — no desj)icable quali- 
fication in a clergyman." " He had a grave and becoming- 
deportment, and was sound in doctrine." He is believed 
to have been a good man, devoted to his work and anxious to 
do it well. One of his manuscript sermons is before me. It is 
written in a simple and devotional strain, and in that spirit of 
kindness and benevolence which so much adorns a minister of 
the Gospel of peace. 

In tlie first years of his ministry, Mr. Scovill appears to have 
lived in the glebe or parsonage house, standing on the John 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 303 

Weltonlot. Afterwards, he occupied the house in which his 
son James lived and died, and which stood where Dr. Eock- 
well now resides. The okl house was removed some twenty 
years ago and is now standing on South Main street, a little 
below the Baptist churcli. 

After Mr. Scovill decided to remove, the parish, May 1, 
1786, apj)ointed a committee to confer with the parish in 
Watertown " about getting a minister," while another was 
" chosen to wait on the Bishop at Stratford and desire him to 
visit us."* Sep. 25th, of the same year, a vote was passed 
'' to appropriate anj'- money which remains in their hands to 
the glazing and i-epairing the church," The next year, (Dec. 
8, 1787,) the parish voted " to apply to Mr. Prindle to know 
on what terms he will settle among us," &c. 

After Mr. Scovill withdrew wholly from the parish, there 
was a vacancy for several years, during which time sun- 
dry persons appear to have been invited to preach. Eev. 
Solomon Blakeslee officiated for a time, and in May, 1789, re- 
ceived a call to settle, with a salary of £40 a year, " for half 
his services " to be augmented to £45 as the list of the society 
increased. He declined, and afterwards Eev. Chauncey Prin- 
dle officiated for a season. In 1790, Eev. David Foot was 
requested to become the minister. For two thirds of his time, he 
to reside in Waterbury, he was offered two-thirds of £85 money, 
and fire wood. He also declined. The society, in truth, seems 
not to have been in a very flourishing condition, and the temp- 
tations it presented to a minister seeking a support were not 
great. Tlie parish sought first to strengthen itself by an union 
with Bristol and Salem (the Episcopalians of the latter place 
having three or four years previously organized themselves 
into a distinct parish, thus weakening the present society) in 
the settlement and support of a clergyman, an arrangement to 
which the people of Salem were favorably disposed. Failing, 
however, in their object, they applied "to the Episcopal conven- 

* Bishop Seabury, then probably on a temporar3' visit to Stratford, had recently returned 
from Scotland, where he had been consecrated as the first Bishop of the United States. He was 
sent for, it is presumed, for the purpose of administering the rite of confirmation, not yet hav- 
ing visited Waterbury with that design. Oct. 1, 17S6, the record says, two Imndred and fifty 
six persona received the rite of confirmation from Bishop Seabury. 



304: mSTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

tion, and requested tlieir advice and influence in uniting to tlio 
parish the Episcopal parishes of Woodbury and Salem, in- 
forming them tliat we are M'illing to dispense with having hut 
half tlie services of a clergyman, and paying in the same pro- 
portion." At the same time, they voted to confer with Wood- 
bury and Salem respecting an union, &c. But somehow Sa- 
lem appears to have taken umbrage at some of the proceedings, 
and in order to make amends a committee of the Waterbury 
church was instructed, Aug. 29, 1791, to invite the church of 
Salem to join them in the support of a clergyman, " and to 
inform our brethren that wherever we have treated them with 
any kind of neglect, we are willing to recind it and give fresh 
assurances that we will treat them wdtli respect in future.'' 
This was satisfactory to the aggrieved party. 

In the mean time. Rev. Seth Hart, who had been reading 
prayers for several months to the acceptance of the people, was 
invited to become the minister " as soon as he shall be put into 
holy orders." Ilis salary for half the time, his residence 
being in the old society of Waterbury, was to be £-10, lawful 
money, annually, to be increased twenty shillings a year for 
five years, and thereafter to be £45, he to have the use of the 
glebe. He was ordained the next year, 1792, to ofiieiate 
half the time in Woodbury and Salem. During Mr. Hart's 
ministry the society flourished. But he remained not long. 
By his own desire, he was removed near the close of 1794 to 
Wallingford, and soon after to Ilemstead, on Long Island. It 
appears by the catalogue of Yale College that '■'■ Sdh Harf 
graduated at that institution in 1784, and died in 1832. 

On Mr. Hart's removal, several individuals liberally inclin- 
ed, united and bought his house (standing where John C. 
Booth now liv^es) and five acres of land, and conveyed the 
whole to the church forever. The old glebe house, from neg- 
lect, had gone to decay. 

During the vacancy which followed Mr. Hart's removal, 
Bcv. Alexander Y. Griswold, Rev. William Green, and Rev. 
Tillotson Bronson ofliciated, successively, in Waterbury. The 
two first are understood to have declined proj)osals of settle- 
ment. Mr. Bronson, after having preached several months, 
accepted an invitation to take the jjermanent charge of the 




/r/r-yy ^/uA^^yi^^^ 



-.K^V^.J-rinffrA'y 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. oUo 

parish., in December, 1797, He officiated tliree fourths of the 
time in Waterburj (receiving $250 annnally) and one fourth 
ill Salem, and continued in the rectorship till the enhanced ex- 
penses of living compelled him to ask for an increase of salary. 
This being denied, he felt obliged to seek a support in another 
field. He preached his farewell disconrse in June, 1806, and 
retired with the approbation of the bishop and the good will 
of his people. 

During the vacancy which followed, Rev. Horace Y. Barber 
officiated for a season, and afterwards became the settled minis- 
ister. He resigned in 1814, and was succeeded by Rev. Al- 
pheus Geer, who continued rector fifteen years. The Rev. 
William Barlow followed and remained two years. The Rev. 
Allen C. Morgan took charge of the parish in November, 1832, 
but in August, 1836, resigned, and soon died. 

The Rev. Dr. Bronson,near the close of his historical sketch of 
the church of "Waterbury, remarks, as " somewhat singular," 
tliat " out of near a dozen [clergymen] who have, since the 
foundation of the church, officiated here, no one has died in 
AVaterbury." This was in 1807. ISTow, half a century later, 
the same remark may be repeated. 

After the old church had stood about fifty years, it was 
found too small for the convenience of the society. It was, 
besides, out of repair and antiquated in style. As early as 
April, 1793, a committee was appointed " to agree upon a 
2:)lace to set a church and the bigness of the same," and 
make report ; and in September following, the " question was 
put whether this society are willing and think it necessary to 
build a church — voted in the affirmative by more than two 
thirds of the members present." At the same time, " Eli 
Curtis, Esq., Mr. Jude Blakeslee and Capt. Amos Bronson 
was chosen a committee to set a stake for the place where to 
build a church." In the meanwhile, the town had appointed a 
committee " to give the assent of the town thereto " wlien a 
place for setting "a church or meeting house " had been se- 
lected and approved. Unanimity of sentiment, however, was 
not yet attained, and Dec. 2, 1793, the society " voted to pe- 
tition the Hon. County Court to grant a committee to come 
and fix or set a stake for a place where to erect a church edi- 

20 



300 HISTOEY OF WATERBUKY. 

fice for said society ; and also, by vote, nominated John "Woos- 
ter, Esq., of Derby, Messrs. Thomas Atwater of Cheshire and 
Abner Bradley of Woodbury for the aforesaid committee, if 
said Hon. Court, in their wisdom, should think fit to appoint 
them." Preparatory to the action of the Court's committee, 
certain persons were chosen " to get the minds of this society 
where to erect a church edifice," while others were appointed 
" to view several places," and others still to warn the people 
to be present when the committee met, (At the same time, it 
was agreed to erect a fence around the old church.) A stake 
was fixed, l)ut the place was not quite satisfactory. March 17, 
1794, at a parish meeting, a committee was chosen, " to apply 
to the County Court and the late committee, and request that 
the stake might be placed five rods south of the place where 
the stake now stands." 

In Dec. 1791, more decisive measures were taken in the 
way of building a church. A committee was appointed, con- 
sisting of Messrs. Ephraim Warner, Justus Warner, Heman 
Munson, Titus Welton and John Cosset, to superintend the 
work and collect a rate of 2s. on the pound. Feb. 9, 1795, 
a vote was passed, in parish meeting, that the above named 
committee 

Be fully authorized and empowered to build or procure to be built a decent well 
finished edifice or church, 54 by 38 feet, with a decent steeple on the outside at 
the east end of the same, and apply the money heretofore granted of 2s. on the 
pound and all subscriptions that shall be made for that purpose, and that the so- 
ciety consider themselves holden to said committee for the residue. 

The business of erecting the new church was committed 
more immediately to Mr. Ard Welton. " And so great was 
the confidence reposed in his judgment and integrity, [says 
the Churchman's Magazine,] that a contract was made with 
him to complete the building according to his own taste and 
present his bills for payment." In August, 1795, the frame 
was raised. The church was finished with great neatness. 
Some fresco paintings upon its walls were much admired. 

Additional taxes were imposed to defray the expenses of 
the church. In December, 1795, a rate of Is. on the pound ; 
in Dec. 1797, a rate of eight cents and eight mills on the dol- 
lar, and in April, 1799, a rate of three cents on a dollar, were 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUPvY. 307 

laid. In all, taxes to meet these expenses were paid to the 
amount of twenty-six cents and eight mills on the dollar. 
This single fact shows a degree of zeal and self-sacrifice which 
is not of every day occurrence. 

In October, 1797, the new edifice was completed, and the 
jDeople assembled for the last time in the old building. Mr. 
Bronson preached an appropriate discourse, in which he al- 
luded affectingly to the solemn scenes which those old walls 
had witnessed — " On the sacred day of rest, silence is hence- 
forth here to reign, and soon will ruin and desolation mark 
this consecrated spot ; until in the next generation it will be 
unknown that here stood the house of God ; that here men 
were wont to assemble and prayer to be made." In the pre- 
ceding March, the parish had resolved to sell the old church. 
While unoccupied, it was sometimes used as a place for holding 
town meetings. The avails of its sale, it was finally decided, 
should go to pay for the new house. 

Oct. 14, 1797, measures were taken to seat the new church. 
A committee had been previously apj^ointed to act in this 
matter, and a rule was laid down for their guidance. They 
were to take " the two lists of 1791 and 1795 [on which build- 
ing taxes had been laid] and add them together ; then add £15 
for every year, [the individual may have attained,] beginning 
at the age of twenty one years ; and all those that had no lists 
of 1791 and 1795 shall take the list of 1797 and double it to 
make one list, with the addition of the £15 as beforesaid." 
The last part of the rule was intended to meet the case of those 
persons who had recently joined the society. 

The new church was dedicated ISTov. 1, 1797, imder the 
name of St. John's church, and consecrated byBishoj) Jarvis, 
this being his first ofiicial act after his own consecration. 

An elegant house of worship being secured, an improved 
style of church music was demanded. The society voted to 
employ a singing-master, " either with or without the Presby- 
terian society," and in August, 1799, a committee was cho- 
sen " for the purpose of handing about subscriptions to raise a 
sum of money sufficient to purchase a bass viol." 

According to tradition, the first time the English prayer 
book was used in "Westbury was on the occasion of the mar- 



308 HISTORY OF WATEEBURT. 

riage of a daugliter of James Brown, after liis removal tliitlier. 
Dr. Samuel Johnson officiated, and in the evening preached 
and read evening prayers in Brown's barn, parts of which are 
still standing. The marriage referred to may have been that 
of Elizabeth Brown, who, on the IGth day of June, 1742, be- 
came the second wife of Lieut. William Scovill, the father of 
Rev. James Scovill. 

For many years, the Churchmen of Westbury, few in 
number, attended public worship in the first society. Soon 
after Mr. Scovill came into the mission, however, their num- 
bers augmented so that, in the latter part of 1764, there were 
twenty whose names are known, (to wit) — Asahel Beach, Seth 
Blake, Samuel Brown, Joseph Brown, Daniel Brown, Thomas 
Doolittle, James Doolittle, Jonathan Fulford, Jonathan Garn- 
sey, John Judd, 'Noah Judd, Asa Judd, John Hickox, Joseph 
Hickox, Joseph Prichard, Eleazer Prindle, Gershom Scott, 
Edward Scovill, Samuel Scovill, William Scovill. These per- 
sons entered into an agreement " to hold public worship in 
Westbury on those Sundays when there was no preaching in 
Waterbury," until a church could be built. They met in the 
winter and spring in the house of James Doolittle, and in the 
summer in a chamber of Ensign David Scott. A lot was giv- 
en for a church by Capt. George Nichols of Waterbury ; and 
an edifice, forty-five feet by thirty-six, with a steejjle, (the first 
in the town,) was erected on it, in 1765. Capt. Edward Sco- 
vill took the lead in this enterprise, and in the latter part of 
October the house was in such forwardness that public service 
was performed in it. It stood upon the rocks by tlie old 
burying yard near the meeting house. It was named Christ's 
church. The Rev. Samuel Andrews delivered the dedicatory 
sermon. An arrangement was made by which Mr. Scovill 
was to officiate everj sixth Sunday. This continued till 1771, 
when the parish had so much augmented its strength that a 
new arrangement became expedient, and Mr. Scovill agreed 
to give one third of his time to the Westbury parish. The so- 
ciety continued to prosper, and in 1773, they finished the low- 
er part of the house, together with the pulpit, chancel, cano- 
py, &c. ; but they never entirely completed it. Soon the Rev- 
olution came, from which the parish suffered much. 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 309 

111 1779, the society received, by the will of Capt. Scovill, 
seventeen acres of land near the chnrch. The land was after- 
wards sold and a fund established, which, with the consider- 
able additions since made to it, now amounts to $4,000 secured 
by noteS'. The parish also owns three acres of land in the cen- 
ter of the village, on which the new church, rectory and 
school-house stand. 

' ■' After the war, prosperity again dawned upon the church of 
Westbury. But in a little while the pulpit became vacant by 
the removal of Mr. Scovill to Kew Brunswick. It contiuued 
so till 1788, when an arrangement was made with the Eev. 
Chauncey Prindle, (a nephew of the Eev. Mr. Scovill,) then in 
deacon's orders, who had officiated more or less, as lay -reader, 
at a salary of thirty pounds, "to be paid in beef, pork, butter, 
tallow, wool, flax, or any sort of grain." He was ordained as 
priest by Bishop Seabury on the 2Ith of the month. He 

, gave part of his time to Northbury, but resided in "Westbury. 
In 1792, the society, having increased greatly in numbers, 
determined to erect a new church in a more desirable situa- 
tion. It was "raised" Angust, 1793, and consecrated by 
Bishop Seabury as Christ's Church, Nov. 18, 1794. It was 
placed on ground confronting the spot occupied by the pre- 
sent church. A " Commemorative Discourse " was delivered 
in it, for the last time, Oct. 28, 1855, by the Rev. Horace H. 
Eeid, the rector, which was j^ublished, and to which I am in- 
debted for some facts contained in this sketch. 

r^ Mr. Prindle continued rector till 180-1, when he resigned. 
His farewell discourse was preached on the 23d of December. 
He is described as a most worthy and indefatigable man. As 
an instance of his punctuality in the discharge of duty, it is 
stated that on a certain important occasion, when he was to 
preach in Waterbury, he fonnd the ISTaugatuck mnch swollen 
by a flood. He saw his horse must swim the stream, or he 
must fail in his a23pointment. Preferring the former al- 
ternative, he plunged in. — He was a son of Eleazer and Anna 
(Scovill) Prindle; was born July 13, 1753, and graduated at 
Yale College in 1776. After he left WatertoAvn, he was, for 
several years, rector of the churches of Oxford and Salem. 
He died in 1833. He left some manuscripts relating to the 



310 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

cliurclies of Westbuiy and Kortlibuiy, wliicli were published 
ill the Chronicle of the Church, July 26, 1839, from which I 
have gleaned many facts. 

■^ Episcopacy in I^Torthbury grew out of the extravagances 
which attended the Revival of 1 740. Mr. Todd's course was 
denounced by some of his people as irregular and unauthor- 
ized. His evening meetings, it is said, were disorderly in the 
extreme. Inquiry began to be made whether there was not 
another and better way of serving God. At this period, a prayer 
book, owned by one of Mr. Todd's parishioners, came to light. 
It was the first that appeared in Northbury, and was the prop- 
erty of Thomas Blakeslee's wife. Certain people often met 
together to consult it. Mr. Todd disapproved of these proceed- 
ings, and, according to tradition, told those who studied the 
strange book that if they did not desist tliey would go to a bad 
place ! Thus matters went on, the Churchmen gaining 
strength, till at last they came to control a majority of the 
votes. They then numbered eleven and took possession of 
the house in which public worship was held, voting Mr. 
Todd's meetings out. While they did this, however, they as- 
sured the minority that they would assist to build them ano- 
ther house to an extent ecpial to their (the minority's) interest 
in the old one. This promise, it is affirmed, was faithfully kept, 
and to the satisfaction, pecuniarily, of the Congregatioualists. 
Some of the majority, however, disapproved of this whole 
proceeding, and admitted that the minority were not fairly 
treated.* The latter might have been permitted to occupy 
the house when not wanted by the other party. But it was 
a time of excitement, and a spirit of conciliation among rival 
sects is a rare virtue. 

It is difiicult to say who were the " eleven" first Churchmen 
(heads of families) of Northbury. Among them, however, 
were some prominent men. The following persons joined them- 
selves at an early date to the new donomination, (to wit,) 
Barnabas Ford, Thomas Blakeslee, David Blakeslee, Lieut. 
John Bronson, and probaly Samuel Cole, Ebenezer Ford, 



* Manuscript letter from Noah M. Bronson of Medina, Ohio, formerly a prominent Church- 
man of Plymouth. 



UISTORT OF WATERBURY. 311 

Abel Ford, and Ebenezer Allen. At wliat precise time the 
famous eleven organized themselves and appropriated for 
their own use the old meeting honse, it is not safe to affirm. 
The Congregationalists, however, contemplated building a 
new house as early as Oct. IT-IO, possibly, before their exclu- 
sion from the old building. 

For a considerable period, the Episcopalians of Northbury 
could have had but occasional and rare visits from a clergy- 
man. They were dependent on the ministers who officiated 
in Waterbury, and who were in the service of the society for 
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Eev. Theophilus 
Morris was in the mission from 1740 to 1743. He procured 
from the parent society a large folio Bible and prayer book for 
tlieuses of the churches of Derby, Waterbury, West Haven and 
Northbury. Mr, Lyon followed Mr. Morris, Dr. Mansfield of 
Derby, Mr. Lyon, and Eev. James Scovill, (about 1759,) Dr. 
Mansfield, as is mentioned in my account of the church in 
"VVaterbury, Mr. Scovill's services were relinquished for a 
stipulated sum ; and in 1773, Rev. James Nichols,* lately re- 
turned from England, where he had been for ordination, took 
charge of the churches of Northbury and New Cambridge, 
(now Bristol,) officiating alternately half the time in each, but 
residing in the latter place. In consequence of the war, Mr. 
Nichols remained but two years and removed to Litchfield. 
After this and till the close of the Revolution, the church was 
in an unsettled state and without the services of an ordained 
minister. Whilst the war lasted, it is not known that public 
services of any kind were held in the parish. 

Soon after the organization of the church, several of the 
members raised among themselves £100 as the foundation for 
a church fund. This sum was invested in land and deeded as 
follows : 

I Barnabas Ford, [&e.] in consideration of one hundred pounds nione}- con- 
tributed to me by my neighbors, members of the Church of England, by and with 
their advice, [&c.] for the first glebe lands to endow the said church in North- 
bury, [&c.] do give, grant, convey and confirm unto the Society for the Propagation 



* Was he not the son of James Nichols, (of Waterbury,) who was born in December, 1748, and 
graduated at Yale College, in 1771 ? 



oi'2 IIISTOKY OF "WATEEBUEY. 

of the Gospel in Foreign Parts,* one piece of land containing forty acres being and 
lying in said Northbury eastward from the church, it being the west end of the 

farm that belonged to Thomas Clark of Waterbury to have and to hold [&c.], 

but in trust and for this special purpose, that is to say, as soon as there shall be a 
rector instituted and inducted, [&c.] the premises shall then be and inure to such 
rector incumbent and to his successors for his and their use as the glebe lands of 
the said church for ever, [&c.] 

This deed is dated Nov. 21, 1745, and witnessed by Thomas 
Bhxkeslee, Samuel Cole and Ebenezer Ford. 

After the war, in October, 1784, a movement was made by 
the clmrch to organize themselves into a society " according 
to an act of the General Assembly." A warrant was is- 
sued by a justice of the peace, calling a meeting and di- 
recting that all the legal voters of the society be warned to 
meet at " the church house " on tlie eighteenth of the montli, 
and to choose a moderator, &c. The roll of voting members 
at this time is recorded. They numbered 57, showing a 
strength hardly to be expected so soon after the war. At this 
first formal meeting of the parish, Lieut. Eliphalet Hartshorn 
was chosen moderator, Jude Blakeslee clerk and treasurer, 
and Mr. Asher Blakeslee, Capt. Amos Bronson and Mr. 
Isaac Fenn, prudential committee, with power to employ Mr. 
Baldwin or some other minister as a candidate for settlement. 
At this time, 15 persons living in the town of Litchfield attend- 
ed the Northbury church. 

At a subsequent meeting in December, a tax of two pence 
on the pound was laid, (Jacob Potter, collector,) which was re- 
newed from year to year. Unwearied endeavors were put 
forth to obtain a rector, for a time without success. The Kev. 
Ashbel Baldwin, the Eev. Philo Shelton, and the Kev. Tillot- 
son Bronson, officiated occasionally. After his ordination as a 
deacon, in June, 1787, the Kev. Chauncey Prindle ofiiciated 
regularly for a time. He was afterwards settled, the articles 
of agreement bearing date Feb. 12, 1788, twelve days before 
his admission to the order of the priesthood. By the articles, 
the parish agreed to give him £37, 10s. lawful money for half 

* The reason for conveying the land to the English society may probably be found in the fact 
that the Episcopal churches of Connecticut were not at that time legally constituted bodies, and 
could not hold property in a corporate capacity. The lands conveyed in this manner to 
the society, appear never to have been reconveyed to the parishes. At any rate, I can find no 
such reconveyances on the Waterbury records. After the Revolution, the English society, be- 
ing alien, could not, I suppose, give a title. A title was at last probably obained by possession- 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 313 

of the time, " to be paid in produce, sncli as beef, pork, butter, 
tallow, sheep's wool, flax or any sort of grain, with a suitable 
proportion of each kind." A rate of three pence on the pound 
was imposed in December to pay the minister's salary, which 
the next year was raised to four pence. 

About four years after Mr. Prindle's settlement, the parish 
was much weakened by the formation of St. Matthew's church, 
on the eastern border of Korthbury, and by certain persons 
joining themselves to the church in ]N"orthfield, (Litchfield.) 
These movements originated, not in a want of harmony, but in 
a desire to promote personal convenience. 

The old " church house " had become rickety and uncom- 
fortable, particularly in wet weather, and in December, 1789, 
a vote was taken to make some repairs. In January, 1790, 
however, it was resolved to build a new church. But there 
were much embarrassment and delay in consequence of a 
ditference of opinion as to the location and the manner of rais- 
ing the necessary funds. Some wanted the new edifice in the 
hollow, others on the hill. By the persevering efiorts of Mr. 
Prindle and others, the obstacles at length were all removed. 
It was agreed that the house should be jdaced on the hill 
" near the north east corner of the green or place of parade," 
and be adorned with a steeple. It seems to have been com- 
menced early in 1794, under the superintendence of Messrs. Da- 
vid Shelton, Koah M. Bronson, Selah Seymour, Samuel Potter 
and Adna Blakeslee, building committee. After the frame 
had been erected and covered, another committee, consisting 
of Noah M. Bronson, David M. Shelton and Amos Ford, was 
chosen to complete the building. Eli Barnes was at the next 
meeting placed on the committee in the place of Amos Ford. 
The church was to be finished " in a decent and elegant man- 
ner." It was so far completed by the 14th day of November, 
179G, that a vote was taken to seat it ; and on the 24th of the 
same month the people assembled in it for the first time for 
public worship. The taxes levied to defray the expenses of 
building, amounted, it is said, to thirty-five cents on a dollar, 
to say nothing of voluntary contributions. The church was 
consecrated Nov. 2, 1797, by Bishop Jarvis, by the name of St. 
Peter's church, the Kev. Philo Shelton preaching the sermon. 



314 HISTORY OF WATERBUET. 

On Easter Monday, 1806, Mr. Prindle proposed to resign 
liis charge, in order to afford the society an opportunity to 
strengthen itself by an union with a neighboring church. His 
proposal was acceded to, and a connection was formed be- 
tween St. Peter's and St. Matthew's churches. 

After Mr. Prindle retired from the parish, the Kev. Nathan 
B. Burgess and the Rev. Joseph D. Welton officiated for a 
time, the latter as lay reader; but no permanent rector was 
secured till 1809, when an arrangement was made with 
the Rev. Roger Searle. The articles of settlement bear date 
'Nov. 15th. Mr. Searle was settled over the parishes of St. 
Peter's and St. Matthew's, and was to receive $450 and 30 
cords of good fire wood per annum. In consideration of the 
rector's residence being in St. Peter's parish, that parish was 
to supply all the wood, and retain the use of its glebe lands. 
The remainder of the salary was paid in the proportion of 
services received. 

An addition was made to the funds of the society, in 1813, 
by subscription of one thousand dollars, Mr. Searle to have 
the benefit of it during his rectorship. The subscribers' names 
are entered upon the record, twenty -nine in number. Elijah 
Warner gave one quarter of the sum. A few years later, 
(1821,) the same individual gave to the parish four acres of 
land, valued at about $100, on which he and others erected a 
dwelling for the rector. 

In consequence, chiefly, of a large emigration to the West 
and the weakening of the parish, Mr. Searle resigned his charge 
in 1817, the connection being dissolved Sept. 16tli. 

The Rev. Rodney Rossiter succeeded to the rectorship in 
1818, the Rev. Dr. Burhans in 1832, and the Rev. William 
Watson in 1837. The Rev. S. K. Miller is the present 
rector.* 

* In the preparation of the preceding account of Kpiscopacy in Northliury, I have consulted, 
besides the parish records, An Account of St. Peter's Church, Plymouth, printed in the Episco- 
pal Watchman, October, 18'27 ; the Rev. Mr. Prindle's MSS. published in the Chronicle of the 
Church, 1839, and a Centennial Sermon, by the Rev. Mr. Watson, delivered Jan. 1, 1S43, and 
published. 



■^ 



niSTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 315 



CHAP TEE XX. 



CHURCH AND STATE: SLAVERY: OLD FREXCH WAR. 

Congregationalism was established by biw in the Colony of 
Connecticut. In opposition to this there could be " no minis- 
try or church administration entertained or attended by the 
inhabitants of any town or plantation [&c.] upon penalty of 
the forfeiture of five pounds for every breach of this act." 
Against some species of dissent, the laws were very stringent. 
" Quakers, Banters, Adamites, or such like," were to be com- 
mitted to prison or sent out of the Colony. ISTo individual 
could " unnecessarily entertain " "or speak more or less with " 
such persons on penalty of five pounds, and the town that al- 
lowed entertainment to be given them must also pay five 
pounds per week. Quaker books were ordered to be seized by 
the constable, and the persons in whose possession they were 
found were to be fined ten shillings each. Every person in 
the Colony was obliged to pay taxes for the support of the es- 
tablished religion. If a town saw fit to go without a minister 
for a time, a statute (which was continued till after the Revo- 
lution) provided that a tax should, notwithstanding, be levied, 
" as if there were a minister there," the avails to be reserved 
" for the support of the ministry of that town " in the future, 
according to the discretion of the County Court.* 

The ministers of religion were the especial favorites of the 
colonial government. Their polls and estates were exempted 
from taxation, and stringent laws were made to secure them 
the advantages of their 23osition and the respect of their flocks. 
It was provided that " if any Christian, so called, should con- 

* As an example of the almost absolute power which the Assembly exercised over the towns 
and individuals in matters of religion, I may refer to a case, one of a class.— After the death of 
Mr. Hooker in 1697, Farmington, owing to discordant sentiments, was for a season without a 
minister. On application, the Court, in 1T02, ordered the people to seek counsel and help of 
Rev. Mr. Abram Pierson and five others, and " to entertain " and pay for one year the minister 
which they, " the reverend elders," should nominate and appoint. At this period the town offi- 
cers of Farmington were appointed by the Assembly.— [Historical Discourse by Rev. Noah Porter, 
Jr., 1841.] 



316 inSTOKY OF WATEEBDEY. 

temptuonslj beliave himself towards the word preached or 
the messengers thereof," he should, for the first offense, be re- 
proved openly, iu some public assembly, by the magistrate ; 
and for the second, should pay a tine of five pounds, " or else 
stand two hours openly upon a block or stool four foot higli, 
on a public meeting day, with a paper fixed on his breast 
written with capital letters : — an open and obstinate con- 
TEMNEE OF god's HOLY OEDiNANCES : that othcrs may fear and 
be ashamed." 

At an early jDoriod, almost all the educated men entered the 
ministry. Lawyers were not wanted, and doctors were self- 
taught or, oftener, untaught. Clergymen "trained the youth. 
They were universally deferred to as a superior order of men 
whose displeasure it would not be safe to incur. On Sundays 
they were treated with special reverence. " Wlien the minister 
passed from the threshold to the pulpit, the people rose ; and 
if he formally addressed them in any part of the sermon, 
those in the galleries, in obedience to parental injunction and 
usage, in many places, stood and continued standing till the 
address'was concluded."* 

In 1706, the law against the Quakers was repealed ; and in 
ITOS, by " An Act for the case of such as soberly dissent," 
persons were permitted, on certain conditions, to worship " in 
a way separate from that which is by law established," without 
molestation ; but nobody was excused from paying taxes to 
the "established church." 

When Episcopal churches began to be established in Con- 
necticut, the colonists saw the difficulties in w^hich their laws 
respecting dissenters would be likely to involve them. The 
mother country, it was probably thought, would not willingly 
see its own established religion proscribed and those who wor- 
shiped according to its forms subjected to disabilities. (Pro- 
scription loses all its beauties when its authors become the 
subjects of it.) The General Assembly, doubtless, considered 
these things and determined to modify its laws, so far as they 
bore harshly on the Church of England. In 1727, in answer 
to a petition from certain Churchmen in Fairfield, it was en- 

* Rev. Luther Hart, in The Quarterly Christian'^Spectator, Vol. V, p. 22T. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 31Y 

acted that all taxes levied on the professors of the English 
church, in places where there was a minister of that church in 
orders, should be paid over to such minister. These taxes on 
Churchmen were gathered by a special collector from their own 
denomination, chosen at the town or society meetings. AVhen 
the moneys thus raised were not sufficient for the support of 
their own clergymen, they could levy additional taxes on their 
own members. In addition to these privileges. Churchmen were 
expressly exempted from the burden of building "meeting 
houses." These indulgences, however, were granted more 
from policy and necessity than preference. 

The Episcopal churches or parishes were merely voluntary 
associations They had no corporate or legal existence except 
for the single purpose above mentioned. They could' not im- 
pose rates for building or re]3airing their own churches, or for 
any purpose but the maintenance of their ministers. Congrega- 
tionalism w^as the established religion — the religion of the state. 
Congregational societies were the only societies known to law, 
and these were territorial and exclusive. 

In 1Y29, in an " Act for the Ease of such as Soberly Dis- 
sent," the Quakers and Baptists having divine worship of their 
own, and attending the same, were excused from Congrega- 
tional taxation ; but they had no other privileges. 

Thus matters continued till after the Eevolution ; but in 
1784, a law " for securing the Rights of Conscience " was 
passed, which permitted a man to join any denomination of 
Christians he pleased, and, if a dissenter and an attendant on 
public worship and a contributor to tlie support of the same, 
exempted him from taxes for the maintenance of the ministry 
and religion "by law established." By the same act, the dis- 
senting churclies and congregations had " liberty and authority 
to exercise the same powers and privileges for maintaining 
their respective ministers and building and repairing meeting 
houses, as the ecclesiastical societies constituted by law have 
and do exercise and enjoy." It M^as under this law, I suppose, 
that the Episcopal church of Northbury was organized in 1784. 
Thus, all Christian sects were put on a footing of essential 
equality. 

Our fathers were rigid in their notions of moral and reli- 



318 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKT. 

gions duty. They discarded the forms of the English church 
and endeavored to seize the essence. Still, they were unable 
to get rid entirely of forms, for men cannot do this, however 
strenuous their endeavors. Those which they did observe, 
they adhered to with singular pertinacity. In so doing, they 
jeoparded and sometimes lost sight of the substance. They 
were particularly exact in tlie observance of the sabbath, and 
this observance was enforced by pains and penalties. The 
people were required by statute to " carefull}^ apply themselves 
to the duties of religion and piety, publicly and privately," on 
the Lord's day. They were required, on that day and also 
on "fast dayes and dayes of thanksgiving," to go to meeting, 
and they were not permitted to go anywhere else, the fine for 
transgressing the law being, in each case, five shillings. "Sin- 
gle persons being boarders and sojourners," and young per- 
sons " under the government of parents or masters," were not 
allowed to " meet together in company or companies," in the 
street or elsewhere, on the evening of the sabbath, or of fast 
day or lecture day, the fine being five shillings. It was made 
the dnty of constables and grand jurors " to walk the streets 
and duly search all suspected places," and to bring the viola- 
tors of this law to justice. These are the statutes our fathers 
lived under, till after the Eevolution, and wliicli assisted to 
mould their characters and opinions. 

In illustration of what was considered " servile labour " on 
the sabbath, no longer ago than 1T37, I would refer to a jus- 
tice trial in which Isaac Bronson, a leading man of Water- 
bury, was arraigned before Timothy Hopkins, a justice of the 
peace. A conviction followed, and a fine of five shillings with 
the costs of court was imposed. The criminal party, not being 
satisfied with the decision, petitioned (ineftectually)the General 
Court for relief, and at the same time explained the nature and 
extent of his " crime," as follows : 

To the Honourable geucrall Court [&c.] siting att Newhaven second Thurs- 
day of October 1737 — the memorial of Isaac Brounson of waterbury humbly show- 
eth that one m' justice Timothy Hopkins of sd waterbury, [&c.] by his speisall 
writ caused your memorialist to apcar before him on the 24'^ day of august Last 
to answer for being gilty of doing servil Labour on the sabbath or Lords day, in 
the site of said justice, and gaue judgment against your memorialest in the follow- 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUIiY. 319 

ing words viz [Here follows a copy of the execution and sentence of the court, 
from which it appears that the crime was committed on the 'Zth day of August, 
and that the culprit was sentenced to pay 5s. fine, and 5s. 6d. costs, " and stand 
committed till he comply," &c.] so that your memoriallest was forced to pay the 
money or go to prison, which money was paid down to the justice and your 
memorialest stands Recorded gilty of the breach of the sabbath but thinks him- 
self wholy innocent of any such crime : and can not help himself so without 
Remedy except this Honourable assembly giue Releafe, and he is under great dis- 
advantage to Lay the whole matter before your Honours, m' justice utterly Refus- 
ing to giue him a copy of the writ by which he was brought before him : therefore 
is obliged to Declare the facts, by sd justice judged to be creminall, which was his 
sister had lived sometime att his Hous about four miles out of Town but by reason of 
seuere iluess went Home to her mother and stayed with her, but she amended, and 
on the sabbath day night after meeting was ended asked your memorialist if he would 
Let her Ride behind him home to his house which he did : this is the whole that 
he is charged with and it was no harme as he thought ; how euer he stands 
Recorded as aboue and hath been already put of from Recieuing the sacrament on 
that account, and there upon prays this Honourable assembly to make void the sd 
judgment if they in their wisdom can think it just, or grant him Liberty of a hear- 
ing of the whole matter before the County Court to be holden att Newhaven in 
- ovember next, and order the sd justice to furnish him with a copy of his pro- 
ceedings in the case in order to his hauing aftiir Tryall at the sd Court, or any other 
way grant Releaf [&c.] 

Isaac Brounson. 

If any man convicted of " prophaning tlie sabbath " refused 
to pay his fine, he might be publicly whipped. This was the 
law in 1784 and afterwards. 

By an old statute, (in existence after the Kevolution,) each 
householder was required to have at least one Bible. ISTu- 
merous families were to have " a considerable number of 
bibles," besides suitable orthodox catechisms and other books 
of practical godliness. It was the duty of the selectmen to 
" make diligent inquiry " after these things, and constables, 
jurymen and ty thing men were to make diligent search after 
and presentment make of all breaches, &c. 

The legislation of our ancestors was harsh, sometimes vin- 
dictive. It attempted too much. Its ends were often unjusti- 
fiable, frequently trivial. It interfered unwarrantably with 
personal rights. It took it for granted that a desirable object, 
in every case, was to be secured by some special law. That an 
evil existed was a sufficient reason why a statute should be 
enacted. The truth was not recognized, and is not yet fully 
understood, that there are many irreguralities in the moral 



320 HISTORY OF WATEEBURT. 

world (sin, in the language of theology) which legislation can- 
not reach. Man, it was conceived, was utterly depraved by 
nature, always inclining to go astray. He was treated as 
though conscience, truth, justice, honor, were no part of his 
moral constitution. His whole conduct and his entire busi- 
ness, to their minutest details, must be regulated by laws. 
These laws assumed a perfect uniformity of religious views, of 
moral principles and of opinions generally. A strict con- 
formity was expected from all. Those who entertained pecu- 
liar sentiments, particularly on religious subjects — who pre- 
sumed to differ from the ruling classes — had a hard time of it. 
They felt that by coming to America they had not escaped 
tyranny in aggravated forms. 

As an illustration of the trivial, not to say ridiculous, legisla- 
tion of our fathers, I may refer to the anti-tobacco laws. The 
use of tobacco was regarded (correctly) as demoralizing, par- 
ticularly to the young. Therefore, the General Court order- 
ed that no person under 20 years of age should use it. Xo 
other person (not accustomed to it!) could employ it without 
a certificate from a physician and a license from the Court. 
He who was addicted to its use was forbidden to indulge his 
appetite in company, or publicly in the streets, or when at 
labor or on a journey, unless ten miles from home, and then 
not but once a day. Tlie penalty for each offense was six pence, 
to be paid without gainsaying ! 

It is well known that slavery was formerly an " institution" 
of Connecticut. Our ancestors, whom we are accustomed to 
revere for their virtues and religion, were " trafficers in human 
flesh !" Southmayd, Leavenworth, Trumbull, Scovill, Dea. 
Clark and Dea. Garnsey, those holy men and others like them, 
held their fellows in bondage! For their guilt in this regard, 
their decendants do not apply to them the same epithets, pre- 
cisely, that they sometimes bestow on cotemporary sinners of 
the same class. Does this lenity of judgment come from the 
conscious obligation of the "higher law" — Honor thy father 
and thy mother ? 

The first settlers of "Waterbur}^ had not many slaves. It is 
not certain they had any ; though it is probable some three or 
four (perhaps more) were slave owners, possibly from the first. 





/LC6^P, 



■lyfUoA^'U-.rjy^ 



HISTOKY OF WATEEBUET. 321 

The truth is, the great proportion of them were too poor to 
own that kind of property. Luxuries of all kinds were be- 
yond their reach. They lived in the plainest manner and did 
their own work. Owing to a lack of tools, machinery, roads 
and productive lands prepared for tillage, or in other words, 
caj)ital, the surplus products of labor were small. Compara- 
tively, a man could do but little more than maintain himself. 
Hence the necessity that all should work, young and old, male 
and female. If the addition of a negro to a family increased 
production, it also increased consumption ; and if a support in 
infancy and old age is taken into the account, almost in an 
equal ratio. Hence the inducement with the early planters of 
Waterbury, to own slaves could not have been great, even 
could they have found the means to purchase them. The prof- 
its of slavery in Connecticut were never large, and the sacri- 
fice, when it was finally got rid of, was not serious. 

The first slave in Waterbury, of which I have certain knowl- 
edge, Avas Mingo, who was the property of Dea. Thomas 
Clark, about 1730, He was then a boy. His master used to 
let him for hire by the day, first to drive plow, then to work 
with the team. At Dea. Clark's death in 1764, Mingo was 
allowed to choose which of the sons he would live with. He 
preferred to remain at the old homestead with Thomas ; but 
after the latter commenced keeping tavern, he did not like his 
occupation and went to reside with Timothy on Town Plot. He 
had a family, owned considerable property, and died in 1800. 

Parson Southmayd owned two slaves at the time of his 
death, Sampson and Phillis. Parson Leavenworth owned 
two, Peg and Phillis ; Parson Trumbull of Westbury, two or 
more ; Parson Scovill, two, Phillis and Dick. Dick died so 
late as 1835, aged 90. He used to tell the story of his cap- 
ture on the shores of Africa when a boy, as he was playing 
in the sand. He was sold several times, always with the un- 
derstanding that he might return when he chose. He was at 
one time the property of Dea. Stephen Bronson. After his 
old master removed to IS^ew Brunswick, he usually worked 
for Dea. Bronson or Mr. James Scovill, and was always re- 
garded as a member of the family. He was a faithful negro. 
The writer remembers with afiection his kind offices, in child. 
21 



322 HISTOKY OF WATEEBUKY. 

liood. Poor man! He became blind in his old age, and the 
wicked boys sometimes played tricks with him. He had a 
wife and children and some property. Peace to his memory ! 
— Capt William Hickox died in Westbnry, in 1737, possessed of 
two slaves, Lewis and Phillis. Capt. George Nichols had one; 
Lieut. Tho. Eichards one, Jack ; Dea. Jonathan Garnsey one 
or more ; Esq. Joseph Hopkins, one. Silence ; Dr. Preserved 
Porter, two, Fortune and Dinah, &c. I. Woodruff, of Westbnry, 
owned an " Lidian woman," who died in 1774. Lidian slaves 
appear to have been common in the earlier periods of the 
Colony. 

By an old colonial law, men were sometimes sold into 
slavery for crime. Samuel Lanson was arraigned before the 
Court of Assistants in Hartford, May 10, 1670, and convicted 
of notorious stealing and " breaking up and robbing of Weth- 
erstield and Branford mill several times," and living in a 
" renegade manner in the wilderness." He was fined £20 
and ordered to be sent to the Barbadoes and sold as a servant 
for four years. Under a similar law, Joseph Lewis of Water- 
bury, a town pauper, was tried before Thomas Clark, Esq., May 
12, 1756, on complaint of Oliver Terrell, for stealing forty shil- 
lings " proclamation money," and condemned to pay " six 
pounds proclamation money [three times the amount stolen] 
with costs of suit, and also a fine of ten shillings, lawful mon- 
ey, to the town treasurer, and be whipped on ye naked body 
ten stripes — costs taxed at £1-3-3." — He was whipped accord- 
ing to the judgment of the court, and bound out to the plain- 
tifi", as a servant, till the above said sum should be paid. 

By an early statu+e of the Colony, " all single persons [they 
were not favorites of our Puritan ancestors, and were watched 
with great jealousy] who lived an idle and riotous life," might 
be bound out to service. By a law passed in 1725, and which 
was in existence till after the Revolution, any "delinquent," 
in the sense of this statute, might be disposed of, or bound 
out to service, or in other words sold, by order of any court, 
assistant or justice of the peace, for so long a time as was 
necessary to pay the costs of prosecution. 

In the volume of statutes which was published immediately 
after the Eevolutionary war, there was an act which declared 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKT. 323 

that no negro or mulatto child, born in this State after March 
1, 1784, should be held in servitude any longer than till 
he or she should arrive at the age of twenty-five years. In 
the same act, there were restraints put upon slaves similar to 
those we find at the South at the present day. Any Kegro, 
Mulatto or Indian servant found wandering beyond the bounds 
of the tow^n to which he belonged, without a ticket or pass 
from a justice of the peace or the owner, might be seized by 
anybody as a run-a-way. If a slave was caught out at night, 
after nine o'clock in the evening, without an order from his 
master, any person might apprehend and bring him (or her) 
before a justice, who might sentence him (or her) to be pub- 
licly whipped on the naked body. Without such order, the 
ferryman who passed a slave over his ferry, or the tradesman 
wdio bargained with him, was liable to a fine. So was the 
taverner who " entertained " him, or permitted him to be in 
his house, after nine o'clock at night. Free negroes traveling 
without a pass might be arrested. 

In 1848, the Legislature enacted, for the first time, that no 
person should be held in slavery in this State. 

Individually, our Puritan ancestors were very much such 
men as we are — little better, no worse. There were among 
them men eminent for virtue, knowledge and patriotism ; while 
there was about the ordinary proportion, found in the farming 
communities, of the worthless and the vile. A very slight 
inspection of the records of the criminal courts, will dissipate 
the dreams of those who contend that our great grandsires 
w^ere perfect beings. They were bred in a rigorous age, and 
were exposed to peculiar hardships, dangers and temptations. 
These gave origin to peculiar moral characteristics — to virtues 
and to vices which were a little diff'erent from those of other 
ages and communities. But, on the whole, they, like us, were 
average men. We have more science, a more widely diffused 
literature ; better roads and bulkier ships ; but our men are 
like their men — shoots from the same stock. Undistinguish- 
ing eulogy cannot properly be applied to any of the genera- 
tions of ]S"ew England ; nor will truth justify indiscriminate 
censure. Saints and sinners, wise men and foolish, have been 
(and will continue to be) found, in fair proportion, among all. 



324 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

We do riglitly in judging leniently of tlie weaknesses, and 
mistakes and even the guilt of our fathers. We make allow- 
ance for their circumstances, the state of their civilization, the 
age in which they lived, the modes of thinking which prevail- 
ed at the time, their education, even their temptations and 
prejudices, and the entire group of influences which contrib- 
uted to mould opinions. Were men equally tolerant and 
charitable towards their contemporaries, much of the wrangling 
which at times makes earth a pandemonium would be avoided. 
Were men to think more of their own infirmities and guilt 
and less of their neighbors, they would illustrate a practical, 
instead of a speculative and professed Christianity. 

After the close of the war with the eastern Indians in 1725, 
New England was at peace at home and abroad till the break- 
ing out of the Spanish war (in which France soon joined) in 
1739. In the expedition against Cape Breton in 1745, which 
resulted in the capture of Louisburg, in which Connecticut had 
engaged nearly one thousand men, Waterbury appears to have 
been represented, but I know not how numerously. Capt. 
Samuel Hickox was chosen by the Assembly a captain of one 
of the companies for this service. Whether he joined the ex- 
pedition does not appear. Samuel Thomas, one of the early 
settlers of Westbury, died at Cape Breton, Jan. 29, 1745-6, 
probably in garrison. 

Soon after the close of the Spanish and French war, or in 
1749, Waterbury was visited by a malignant and fatal disease. 
It took the form of a low, nervous fever, and is said to have 
run its course in nine days. If the sick person survived the 
ninth day, recovery was expected. It spread into all parts of 
the town and was very fatal in Woodbury, as mentioned by 
Mr. Cothrcn. It commenced in June and continued till the 
following January. The most fatal months were August and 
September. In these two months, there were thirty-eight 
deaths, besides two, at least, not recorded. In the whole 
course of the epidemic, there were sixty-four deaths that are 
recorded, about twenty of them heads of families. In addi- 
tion to these, Mr. Richardson, in his " Historical Sketch of 
Watertown," gives the names of ten persons, making seventy- 



HISTOKY OF WATERBUEY. 325 

four in all that are known. It is said there were thirty deaths 
in Northbury, some of them doubtless not recorded. In such 
times of terror, all business is carelessly done. There were 
probably not fewer than ninety deaths, in the whole, which, 
out of a population of 1500, would be in the proportion of one 
in sixteen and two thirds, or six per cent., a greater propor- 
tional mortality than has since occurred in the same length of 
time. In many instances, entire families were prostrated by 
the disease. In two of the three parishes, scarcely ten houses 
escaped. In several families, three died in each ; and in one, 
that of John Barnes, four, all under nineteen years of age. 
Once in this sickness, there were six graves open in the old 
burying ground, at the same time. Often there was difficulty 
in procuring medicine, and sometimes the people had to go as 
far as Norwich for it. On one occasion, Mr. Leavenworth, the 
minister, performed the journey* — in those days, no small 
undertaking. From the middle of harvesting time till the 
last of September, nearly all the inhabitants that were in health 
were constantly employed in watching the sick and burying 
the dead. The crops were neglected, and despair settled upon 
the countenance of all. The grass upon the meadows dried as 
it stood. A part of it only was mowed, and that Avhich was 
gathered, on account of its having been secured out of season, 
was nearly worthless. Not more than half the usual acres of 
the winter grains were sown, and these were so imperfectly till- 
ed, and the seed was put into the ground so late, that a famine 
was apprehended. Under these circumstances of discourage- 
ment, a memorial, signed by the inhabitants and dated Oct. 10th, 
1749, was forwarded to the Assembly. They spoke of having 
" been visited by remarkable and sore sickness," and then re- 
counted their griefs and misfortunes. They prayed for the abate- 
ment of their " country tax " for the year, on the list of 1748. 
Their request was granted, but they were not permitted to 
draw their school money for the then current year. 

In 1755, the " French Neutrals," or Acadians, (the old 
inhabitants of Nova Scotia,) because they refused to take up 
arms against France and in favor of their new masters, the 

♦ Bennet Bronson's MSS. 



326 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 



Englisli, were driven from their homes and country, to 
the nnmber of seven thousand, and distributed among the 
American colonies, from New Hampshire to Georgia. Four 
hundred were sent into Connecticut, and apportioned among 
the different towns according to their respective lists. Six 
were received by Waterbury and nine by Woodbury. 

In 1756, a formal declaration of war was made by England 
against France, but hostilities had been carried on between 
the two nations for some time previous. This was an eventful 
war for the American Colonies, and Waterbury was well rep- 
resented in it. Capt. Eldad Lewis with his company from 
Waterbury marched to the scene of danger in the " Fort Wil- 
liam Henry alarm," in 1757. His companj^ consisted of 



Lieut. John Sutliff, 
Ens. Gideon Hotchkiss, 
Serg. Stephen Welton, 
Daniel Porter, (clerk,) 
Thomas Richards, 
Stephen Matthews, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Solomon Barrit, 
Eliakim Welton, 
Hezekiah Brown, 
Shadrack Benham, 
Daniel Barnes, 



Joseph Warner, 
Charles Warner, 
Oliver Terrell, 
Jesse Alcock, 
Abraham Richards 
Samuel Judd, 
Joel Frost, 
Thomas Cole, 
Thomas Williams, 
W. Scott, 
William Judd, 



Jonathan Garnsey, 
Simeon Beebe, 
Thomas Hickox, 
Samuel Richards, 
Nathaniel Edwards, 
Nathaniel Foot, 
Reuben Blakeslee, 
Asher Blakeslee, 
Ambrose Field, 
Benjamin Cook, 
Benjamin Barnes. 



Capt. Lewis appears, afterwards, to have been at Lake 
George. Lieut. Gideon Hotchkiss and Enos Ford and, proba- 
ably, his entire company, were with him. Some of the other 
officers and soldiers who w^ere engaged in the old French war 
were, Lieut. Gershom Fulford, Lieut. Timothy Clark, Lieut. 
Joel Clark, Ensign Daniel Potter, Lieut. Samuel Judd, Lieut. 
Oliver Welton, Eev. Mark Leavenworth, chaplain, Israel Cal- 
kins, James Brown, James Baldwin, Jesse Baldwin, Phineas 
Castle, Daniel Webb, Samuel Fenn, Abner Munson, Thomas 
Porter, Stephen Bronson. Daniel Porter, Jr., was surgeon's mate. 

When, in August, 1757, Fort William Henry, situated at 
the head of Lake George, and commanded by Col. Monroe, 
was besieged by a French and Indian force under Montcalm, 
the English general, Webb, was lying with an army of four 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 



327 



stead of marching to the relief of Col. Monroe and thus saving 
the fort, Webb wrote him a letter advising his capitulation- 
The messenger and letter were intercepted by the Indian al- 
lies of Montcalm. The latter, thinking Webb's communica- 
tion would promote his own interests, forwarded it, at once, to 
the commander of the fort. A capitulation soon followed. 

Kow the messenger who bore the letter of Gen. AVebb seems 
to have been Israel Calkins of Waterbury, (above named.) 
He remained in the hands of the Indians after the fort was sur- 
rendered, and was by them taken to Canada. Here he was 
" redeemed by a French gentleman," sent to France a prisoner 
of war, and finally in a cartel-ship to England to be exchang- 
ed. He landed in Boston Oct. 6, 1758, and immediately peti- 
tioned the Legislature for "an allowance of wages during his 
captivity," and also a gratuity in consideration of the " severe 
calamaties " he had suffered, " more than words can express 
or imagination paint." He speaks of his property having been 
dissipated during his absence, and of the extreme destitution 
of himself and family. He " implores the pity and compassion 
of the Honorable Assembly," &c. His prayer was heard and 
£30 granted him.— (State Papers, War, YoL YIL) He re- 
sided in that part of the town Avhich is now called Kaugatuck, 
and was living in 1782. 

The seven years war ended in 1763 and "gloriously " for the 
British Empire in America. The conquest of Canada and its 
cession to England secured the Kew England colonies from fur- 
ther hostile incursions from the North. But with peace 
came the troubles with the mother country. Tlie British min 
istry undertook to carry out their plan of subduing the colo- 
nies—of making them more dependent on the crown and Par- 
liament. It was deemed necessary that the royal government 
should be carried on without the assistance, and in spite^ of 
the resistance, of turbulent colonial assemblies. It was claim- 
ed that the king and Parliament in political and civil matters, 
and the bishops in ecclesiastical affairs, were supreme in all 
cases whatsoever. There could, properly, be no state without 
a king, or church without a bishop. What were considered to 
be inherent rights and chartered privileges were not to stand 
in the way of the proposed changes. To carry out the plans 



328 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

of tlie ministry, it was decided that a standing army slionld bo 
maintained in tlie colonies at tlieir own expense. A system 
of taxation was devised, and the celebrated stamp act passed 
in 1764. In passing it, Parliament meant to affirm and estab- 
lish a right. An immediate revenue was a secondary object. 
The colonists resisted this act, chiefly on account of the princi- 
ple it involved. They saw in it a purpose to enslave them ; or 
at least, to curtail their liberties. They claimed the exclusive 
privilege of levying, collecting and appropriating their own 
taxes. They insisted that taxation and representation should go 
together, and that as they had no voice in Parliament, the lat- 
ter could not, rightfully, imjDose on them taxes. The revo- 
lutionary storm was already gathering and men's minds were 
stirred with profound emotion. Those who believed in the 
validity of Presbyterian ordination and the independence of 
the American churches — who abhorred prelacy almost as 
much as they did the pope — were quick to see the religious 
bearings of the questions of the day. They felt that such a 
measure as the stamp act must be resisted, in the beginning, 
as a dangerous encroachment on their just rights, and which, 
if not opposed successfully would end in the loss of their most 
cherished institutions, political and religious. The Church-of- 
England-men held diiferent views and had different sympathies. 
They looked upon theirs as the only true church, and Congre- 
gationalism as a heresy which had ruled too long in this coun- 
try. They favored the views and hoped for the triumph of 
the British government. The Eev. John Beach, in Oct. 1765, 
wrote to his friends in England, saying that he could not "dis- 
cover in any of the church people the least inclination to sedi- 
tion and rebellion against tlieir mother country, on account of 
the stamp duty." The Eev. Mr. Scovill of Waterbury, in a 
letter dated Oct. 6, 1707, wrote as follows : 

The church people in my cure appear to have a serious sense of religion, and a 
hearty love and affection to ouk excellent church, which makes them greatly 
lament the deplorable condition of the church in these parts, for want of resident 
bishops to ordain, govern and confirm those of our own communion.* They 



* Up to this time and till 1784, the Episcopal clergy of this country were obliged to go to 
England for ordination. They had long pleaded for a bishop of their own to save them this 
trouble. 



HISTOKY OF WATEKBUET. 329 

M'bo live in England where the church is rathei" triumphant, can have but a faint 
idea of its truly miUtant state here m Xew England, where the dissenters take oc- 
casion to insult and revile us, even for want of that discipline which they so un- 
justly and clamorously oppose. Though they would be thought the greatest 
friends of liberty, yet, I doubt not, they would think it a great degree of oppres- 
sion, and even persecution, to be obliged themselves to go 3,000 mUes for what 
they judged essential to the perfection of their church ; and I trust in God, we 
are as conscientious in the profession of the truth, and adherence to the most 
pure and primitive church in the world, as they can be in their errors. They 
have plentifully reproached us with the hated name of Jacobites, persons disaffected 
to the present royal family, of blessed memory ; but when the Stamp Act brought 
our loyalty to the test, I thank God the scale turned greatly in our favour. While 
we sensibly feel all these great disadvantages, it fills us with real grief and con- 
cern to find the venerable society declining to open any more missions in Xew 
England. They, under God, by their generous bounty and pious liberality, have 
been the nursing fathers and chief supporters of the languishing church in this 
land, for which unspeakable favour our warmest sentiments of gratitude and duty 
will always attend them ; and we most humbly and earnestly beg the continuance 
of their patronage and kind assistance, so long as our circumstances continue upon 
all accounts so truly pitiable.* 



CHAPTER XXL 



REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY. 

Teie patriots of Waterbiiry took an early and decided stand 
against tlie designs of tlie mother country. Their own history 
had not tended to soften their prejudices against the English 
church. The two parties were more evenly balanced than in 
most other towns. The Churchmen were in a minority, but 
they were still numerous ; sufficiently so to excite the jealousy 
and even the fears of the majority. When, at one time, they 
obtained the ascendency in society meeting, in l!^orthbury, 
the manner they conducted themselves had not inspired confi- 

♦ Hawkins' Missions, p. 393. 



330 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

dence in their moderation. Eeligions denominations in pow- 
er are not wont to treat the opposition with pecnliar leniency. 
Such is the transcendent importance of religious truth, and 
such tlie wickedness of unbelief or a contrary belief, that men 
are apt to think any means justifiable which tend to spread 
the one or suppress the other. The Congregationalists cannot 
plead guiltless of the charge of attempting, when in authority, 
to "crush out" "dissent" by the exercise of power. 

When at last the war of the Ee volution broke out, in 1775, 
the Churchmen of Waterbury, of Connecticut and of New 
England were seen ranged upon the side of the parent coun- 
try and against the rebel colonists. They were Eoyalists or 
Tories. They had reasons, satisfactory to themselves, for 
their opinions and conduct. They wished the success of the 
British government, because on that success depended their 
hopes of worldly distinction and religious privilege. On that, 
they supposed, they must rely for the permanent ascendency 
of the Episcopal church in America — its doctrines, its laith 
and its worship. To England they were bound by the strong- 
est ties. From that country their parish clergymen had from 
the first received a great part of their support. They owed it 
a debt of gratitude, which, if they could not repay, they were 
unwilling to forget. They had always been the weaker party, 
had been ridiculed in their weakness and sometimes been 
" voted" out of their just rights. Their feelings had not been 
conciliated and they had come to hate the "VVhigs most hearti- 
ly. They now hoped their wrongs would be redressed. They 
thought, with some show of reason, that resistance would be 
in vain and that the rebels would soon be compelled to re- 
turn to duty. It is impossible, thought they, for the American 
Eevolutionists, without money or discipline, ill furnished with 
arms and not perfectly united among themselves, to resist for 
a long time the whole force of the British empire. And there 
were others — wise men — that entertained the same views. 
The eventual triumph of the American cause, at least as to time 
and manner, must be attributed mainly to the blunders of the 
British ministry. Had the event turned out dififerently, the 
course of the colonists would have been considered rash. The 
trutli is, though each party was determined on its course, 



HISTORY OF AVATERBURY. 331 

neither expected, for a long time, to come to blows. So im- 
perfectly did they understand each other. 

So great was the alienation of feeling between the rival re- 
ligious sects in Waterbury, that parents could not always 
agree to send their children to the same school. To carry out 
this feeling, two districts were sometimes made within the 
same territorial limits. In 1775, a vote was passed dividing 
the school district on the Farminc;ton and Wallingford road 
into two, one for the " Presbyterians " and one for " the 
Church of England." At one period, when thick gloom had 
settled over the prospects of the colonists and the English or 
church party felt almost sure of a speedy triumph, some of 
the more enthusiastic of the latter met together and determin- 
ed in what manner the farms of their opponents should be 
divided among themselves, after the subjugation of the 
country.* 

In Westbury, as well as in the old society, excitement ran 
high. The windows of the Episcopal church were demolished. 
The principal members were not allowed to attend public 
worship), but were confined to their farms. " A Presbyterian 
deacon" said, publicly, "that if the colonies carried their 
point, there would not be a church [English] in the New En- 
gland states."! In l^forthbury, the Churchmen were numer- 
ous, every one of whom was a Tory, while all the Congrega- 
tionalists were Whigs. Capt. Amos Bronson, an Episcopa- 
lian, commanded a militia company there, the members of 
which were about equally divided between the two parties. 
His commission was taken from him ; but, being a moderate 
Tory, he was reelected. A commission was of course refused 
him.:]: 

Several influential Churchmen, early in the progress of the 
war, renounced the royal party and joined the Whigs. 
Among these were Capt. John Welton of the old society and 
Capt. Amos Bronson of N"orthbury. A certain pamphlet 
written by Dr. Franklin contributed materially to this result ; 
while the superciliousness of the British officials, and the bar- 

* MSS. of Bennet Bronson. 

t MSS. of the Rev. Chauncey Prindle, published in the Chronicle of the Church, July 26, 1S30. 

i A manuscript letter from his son, Mr. Noah M. Bronson, Medina, Ohio. 



332 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

barous mode in which their government carried on the war, 
were not without influence. 

Tlie Episcopal clergy of Connecticut and of New England 
took the lead in opposition to the war. They kept up a cor- 
respondence with the society at home, (of which they were 
beneficiaries,) in which they expressed their views freely of 
the merits of the controversy, and gave information of the 
state of the country. The loyalty of their own church is a 
subject for frequent comment and congratulation. Dr. Richard 
Mansfield of Derby wrote, in Dec. 1775, that he had preach- 
ed and taught quiet subjection to the king and parent state, 
and that he was well assured that the clergy in general of the 
church of the Colony of Connecticut had done the same. Of 
the one hundred and thirty families under his charge, one 
hundred and ten, he continued, " are firm and steadfast friends 
to government and detest and abhor the present and unnatu- 
ral rebellion, and all those measures which led to it." Far- 
ther on, he remarked, "the worthy Mr. Scovill [of Waterbury] 
and the venerable Mr. Beach [of Newtown] have had still 
better success, scarcely a single person being found of their 
congregations but what hath persevered steadfastly in his 
duty and loyalty.*'* 

The Rev. Mr. Inglis, in Oct. 1776, wrote to the society in 
England as follows : 

I have the pleasure to assure you that all the society's missionaries, without ex- 
cepting one, in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and, so far as I can learn, in the 
other New England colonies, have proved themselves faithful, loyal servants in 
these trying times ; and have to the utmost of their power opposed the spirit of dis- 
affection and rebellion which has involved this continent in the greatest calamities. 
I must add, that all the other clergy of our church in the above colonies, though 
not in the society's service, have observed the same Hne of conduct. — [Hawkins' 
Missions.] 

[At the North, the laymen of the Episcopal faith were commonly, like their rec. 
tors. Loyalists; but at the South it was different, and many of the most distin 
guished Whigs of that section were zealous friends of the established church. — 
Sabine's LoyaUsts, p. 51. 

Tory physicians were more common than Tory barristers, or even clergymen, 
and were treated with more indulgence than other Tories. — Ibid, p. 58.] 

In consequence of the course taken by the Episcopal cler- 

* Hawkins' Missions. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 333 

gy, tlieir open opposition to the war and their secret correspond- 
ence with the enemy, they were watched with jealonsy and 
sometimes treated with the greatest severity. They would not 
pray for the continental Congress after independence was de- 
clared, but insisted on using the liturgy as it was, and praying 
for the king and royal family. At this, the Whigs were 
wroth and would allow no services in the English churches. 
Mr. Inglis wrote in Oct. 1776, that " to officiate publicly and 
not pray for the king and royal family, according to the litur- 
gy, was against their duty and oath ; and yet to use the pray- 
ers for the king and royal family would have drawn inevita- 
ble destruction on them. The only course which they could 
pursue, to avoid both evils, was to suspend the public exer- 
cises. This was accordingly done." Mr. Beach of Connecti- 
cut, alone, the writer goes on to state, continued to officiate 
after independence was declared, he affirming " that he would 
do his duty, ]3reach and pray for the king, till the rebels cut 
out his tongue !" Mr. Inglis farther complained that the cler- 
gy were everywhere threatened and reviled and imprisoned 
on slight pretenses — " some were pulled out of the reading 
desk because they prayed for the king, and that before inde- 
pendence was declared" — "others have been warned to ap- 
pear at militia musters with their arras, have been fined for 
not appearing and then threatened with imprisonment for not 
paying their fines."* 

Dr. Mansfield, already mentioned, wrote to Gov. Tryon ear- 
ly in the war, giving it as his opinion that if the king's troops 
were present to protect the Eoyalists, " several thousand men 
in the three western counties of the Colony [of Connecticut] 
would join him." The letter was intercepted and Dr. M. was 
forced to fly for his life. 

In 1777, according to Mr. Inglis, all the society's missiona- 
aries in Connecticut were " either removed to a distant part 
of the province from their cures and there detained, or else 
confined in their own houses." To the credit of the parties in 
Waterbury, it may be said that, though the excitement was 
intense, no scenes were enacted here such as were witnessed 
in some other towns. This is doubtless to be attributed in part 

* Hawkins' Missions. 



334 HISTOKY OF WATERBUEY. 

to the prudence and wisdom of Mr. Scovill. He was some- 
times threatened. Occasionally, he had reason to fear injury. 
In the more critical seasons, it is stated, he often slej^t from 
home in order to be out of the way of midnight calls ; but he 
had the courage, which the Whigs respected, to remain 
through the war. 

It has been customary to denounce the Tories of the Revo- 
lution as the worst of people — devils incarnate. But the time 
has arrived when we should be able to view them impartial- 
ly. They Avere mistaken men, but no doubt can exist that 
tliey were in the main conscientious and patriotic. They 
thought, doubtless, that they were in pursuit of the greatest 
and most permanent good of their country. They were actua- 
ted by a principle of loyalty to government and of respect for 
existing laws. 

When the time for action came, the majority of the peo- 
ple of Waterbury were the fast friends of colonial rights. Af- 
ter the meeting of the General Congress, in 1774, a town 
meeting was warned to be held on the 17th day of November, 
1774, " for the purpose mentioned in the eleventh article of 
the association of the General Congress, &c." At this meet- 
ing, Phineas Royce, Esq., was chosen moderator, and Rev. 
Mr. Leavenworth made a prayer.* 

* Periodically and on important special occnsions, our fathers met in town meetings for the 
transaction of the public business and for general consultation and discussion. These meetings 
give a good idea of American republicanism in its practical worliings. In them, the people 
learned their first lessons in government. These assemblies formerly exercised more extensive 
powers, and had the oversight of more numerous interests, tlian now. The affairs of ecclesias- 
tical and school societies, as well as those belonging more strictly to the whole town, were reg- 
ulated in them. Voluntary associations are of comparatively modern origin. The great town 
meeting, so called by Mr. Southmayd, was held annually in December. A person to be qualified 
to vote must be " an admitted inhabitant, a householder and a man of sober conversation," and 
have a freehold estate of fifty shillings. After some influential man had been chosen modera- 
tor, " the meeting was opened with prayer." (The custom of opening town meeting with prayer 
is said to be still kept up in some of the old towns in this State. AVhen companies met for mili- 
tary parade, a prayer from the minister formerly introduced the business of the day.) 

A town clerk, constable and selectmen, '' able, discreet and of good conversation," and other 
olBcers, were then chosen, in proper order. The penalty for refusing to serve was forty shil- 
lings. All, down to fence-viewers and town-brander, were required to take an oath, and this was 
generally administered in open meeting. To prevent disorderly conduct in town meetings, a 
statute was passed to punish the same. " At a court for ye tryal of small causes, held in Water- 
bury, Jan. 9, 1756, present Thomas Clark one of his Magesties Justices of the peace," Thomas 
Doolittle and John Barnes were arraigned for the breach of the above law, and were fined, each 
5s. and the costs of court, Is. At the next town meeting, Feb. 16, 1756, there is this entry — 
"Voted to give Thomas Doolittle his fine for speaking without liberty in town meeting.'' 
Barnes, it is presumed, showed less contrition, and the fine was exacted. 



HISTOEY OF WATEKBURY. 



335 



At the same meeting, the extracts of the proceedings of the late respectable 
continental Congress holden at Philadelphia having been read, (together with the 
resolves of the House of Representatives [of Connecticut] thereon,) and the same 
appearing a wise and judicious plan in the present dangerous and difficult state of 
our public affairs, in order to effect 'a happy and much to be desired union 
between Great Britain and these colonies— 

This meeting therefore agree and resolve faithfully to adhere to and strictly to 
abide by the association entered into by said Congress— and appoint the gentle- 
men hereafter named a committee to see the same carried into execution in every 
article thereof. 

The above unanimously voted and for a committee, Joseph Hopkins and Tmio- 
thy Judd, Esqs., captains John Welton, Gideon Hotchkiss, John Lewis, Benjamin 
Richards^ Nathaniel Barnes, Doct. Ebenezer Beardsley, Doct. Roger Conant, Messrs. 
Andrew Bronson, James Bronson, Stephen Matthews, Jesse Curtis, Josiah Rogers, 
chosen. 

At the same meeting, voted that the town clerk shall get a copy of the domgs 
of the Congress well bound at the cost of the town, and lodge it in his office, there 
to remain among the records of the town, for the use of future generations. 

Voted also, that in case a County congress should be agreed upon and desired 
in the County, (which we would recommend,) then the above said committee shall 
choose and appoint two out of their number to attend such Congress. 

Voted also that the doings of this meeting shall be published. 

The articles of the Continental Congress to which the town 
" resolved faithfully to adhere," pledged the delegates and the 
people of the several colonies they represented to a system of 
non-intercourse with Great Britain, this being thought the 
most effective means of obtaining redress of grievances. Noth- 
ing was to be imported, bought, sold or consumed which was 
the product of the British Islands— no East India tea, no mo- 
lasses, syrup, coffee, pimento, &c. Slaves were no longer to 
be imported, and the trade was to be discontinued. The 
eleventh article recommended that every county, city and 
town should appoint a kind of vigilance committee, " whose 
business it shall be attentively to observe the conduct of all 
persons touching this association," and if any one was found 
violating it, " the case to be published in the Gazette, to the 
end that" all such foes to the rights of British America may be 
publicly known and nniversally contemned, as the enemies of 
American liberty, and thenceforth we respectively break off 
all dealings with him or her." It was in accordance with the 
recommendation of this article, (and of the House of Rep- 
resentatives of the Colony,) that the town meetmg above 
noticed was warned and the committee named appointed. 



336 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

At the next meeting, wliicli was held Jan. 12th, following, 
the town voted that the selectmen shonld procure a donhle 
stock of powder, lead and ilints, and "build a house suitable 
to store " them in— a proof that the people were thoroughly 
in earnest. While they talked of " a happy and much to be 
desired union between Great Britain and these colonies," and 
felt doubtless as they talked, they were determined, as far 
as possible, to be prepared for the worst. At the same meet- 
ing. Col. Jonathan Baldwin, Capt. John Welton, Joseph Hop- 
kins, Esq., Capt. Samuel Hickox, Timothy Judd, Esq., Messrs. 
Stephen Welton, James Porter, Jr., Stephen Seymour, Kandal 
Evans, David Smith, Josiah Eogers, Samuel Lewis, Esq., 
and John Hopkins were chosen a committee " to receive the 
donations that may be contributed towards the relief of the 
poor in Boston," wdio were suiFering at this time, from the 
eifects of the odious Boston Port Bill. The Boston people 
threw the tea on which a duty had been levied by the gov- 
ernment at home, into the harbor, and this bill w^as passed 
by Parliament in retaliation. The design was to destroy the 
commerce of that refractory town, and to transfer its business 
to Salem. It w\as an oppressive act, a general sympathy was 
awakened, and material aid was contributed, in all parts of the 
country, for the relief of that doomed people. Nearly all the 
towns in Connecticut had public meetings and sent money, 
provisions, live stock, or whatever they could spare. 

After the skirmishes (not hattles) at Lexington and Concord, 
in April, 1775, the Connecticut Legislature took immediate and 
decisive steps in way of preparing for the contest. An act 
was passed for enlisting and equipping one fourth part of the 
militia, " for the safety and defense of the colony." They 
were to be divided into six regiments, and the companies to 
contain one liundi*ed men each. The eighth company of the 
first regiment (commanded by Major General David Wooster) 
was to be raised in Waterbury. The officers appointed to 
command it were Phineas Porter, captain ; Stephen Mat- 
thews, 1st lieutenant; Isaac Bronson, 2d lieutenant; David 
Smith, ensign. Their term of service was not to exceed seven 
months. Each soldier was to have a premium of fifty-two 
shillings to be paid at the time of enlistment, and one month's 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 337 

advance pay, amounting to forty shillings, besides ten shillings 
for the use of his arms, and sixpence a day for billeting money. 
Capt. Porter was in readiness and " about to march " late in 
May. 

As an attack was apprehended on some of the towns upon 
the sea-coast, Capt. Porter was first ordered to march into 
Fairfield county. Afterwards, he was directed to go to the 
Hudson Kiver and so north. He was in Greenbush in Octo- 
ber. Thence he marched by way of Albany to Lake Cham- 
plain, where he was at the expiration of the time for which 
his company was enlisted. Some of them then returned to 
Waterbury. Others chose to continue with the army, went 
into Canada and were with generals Montgomery and Woos- 
ter at the taking of Montreal. Some were present at the 
storming of Quebec, under Arnold, late in Dec. 1775, when 
Montgomery fell. Among them were Freeman and Daniel 
Judd. The latter died of small pox, near Quebec, Feb. 2, 1776. 

In the year 1775, "Waterbury furnished, for the continental 
army, one hundred and fifty-two soldiers. This appears from 
a certificate of the town ofiicers to the treasurer of the Colon}^, 
claiming an abatement of this number of polls (taxed at 
£2,736) according to an act of Assembly. Of the fifty-five 
towns wdiose returns are on record, Waterbury appears to have 
provided more men than any other, except Farmington and 
'New Haven, which had respectively, one hundred and fifty- 
seven and one hundred and fifty-three. Woodbury had one 
hundred and fifty. No town in the Colony, not itself the 
theater of conflict, made greater personal sacrifices through- 
out the war than Waterbury. It contributed me7i — the rank 
and file of the army — and had but an insignificant share of the 
honors and emoluments of the war. 

In March, 1776, Gen. Howe evacuated Boston, and in June 
following appeared before New York. Congress made a re- 
quisition on Connecticut for troops. The Legislature, then in 
session, (in June,) passed an act for raising, by voluntary in- 
listment, seven regiments to be marched immediately to Kew 
York to join the continental army.* They were to serve till 

* Such was the enthusiasm for the public service, at an early period, that in many towns 
voluntary companies were raised, officered and equipped. July 4, 1776, a company of Uouse- 

9,9 



338 HISTOKT OF WATEEBUKY. 

the 25tli of December following, unless sooner discharged. 
The officers of the fifth regiment Avere William Donglass, (of 
]^orthford,) colonel, James Arnold, lieutenant colonel, and 
Phineas Porter, major. The sixth company of this regiment 
was from Waterbury, and its commissioned officers were John 
Lewis, Jr., captain, James Warner, 1st lieutenant, Michael 
Bronson, 2d lieutenant and Joseph Beach, Jr., ensign. Early 
in August, such was the critical condition of affairs, at the 
urgent solicitation of General Washington, the governor and 
council of safety, constituting the committee of war, directed 
all the standing militia west of the Connecticut Piver and two 
regiments on the east side, to march forthwith to New York, 
" until the present exigency is over." The Waterbury militia, 
attached to the 10th regiment, marched under Lieut. Col. 
Jonathan Baldwin, the lYth of August, ten days only after 
the order was issued. It is estimated that full one half of 
Washington's army in and about 'New York, this year, were 
Connecticut men ; and that during this season, (17Y6,) the 
Colony had in all full twenty thousand troops in the service, 
whereas, her wdiole available military force, (from sixteen- to 
fifty years of age,) did not much exceed twenty-three thousand. 
It is notorious that Connecticut did more than her part through- 
out the Pevolutionary war, as she had uniformly done in 
previous wars. This fact, however, is most likely to be con- 
ceded when stated with modesty. If other States did not do 
as much, they all did well. No one of them which does not 
institute invidious comparisons need be ashamed. 

In the disastrous conflict on Long Island, which occurred 
on the 27tli day of August, 17Y6, " Colonel Douglass with his 
regiment [the fifth] w\as in the thickest of the fight."* He 
was afterwards engaged in several actions near New York, 
and was himself particularly distinguished at Harlem Heights, 
White Plains and Phillip's Manor. In the retreat from Long 
Island the night after the fight, Major Porter is said to have 

holders was formed in Wnterbury. They furnished themselves with arms and accoutrements ; 
chose Jonathan Curtis for their captain, Timothy Pond for lieutenant and Samuel Scovill, en- 
sign, and reported themselves ready for duty. Hiuman's AVar of the Revolution, p. 559. 
* Hollister's Connecticut, Vol. II, p. 276. 



^ HISTORY OF WATERBUET. 339 

been in the last boat. Afterwards, be was taken a jorisoner 
in New York, and at the end of three months, was exchanged. 
Capt. Stej)hen Matthews, attached to Col. Henian Swift's regi- 
ment, had eleven of his company killed in this campaign. 
Lieut. Nathaniel Edwards (of Westburj) was taken prisoner 
at the capture of Fort Washington. He was not released for 
two years, and did not return to his home till 1780. 

In November, the General Assembly enacted that four 
battalions, (regiments,) properly officered, should be forthwith 
raised by voluntary enlistment, (to take the place, probably, 
of those Avliose terra of service was about to expire,) who were 
to serve till the loth day of March, 17Y7. The officers of one 
of the companies (which was from Waterbury) in the 2d bat- 
talion, commanded by Col. Thadeus Cook, were Benjamin 
Kichards, captain, Isaac Bronson, Jr., 1st lieutenant, William 
Law, 2d lieutenant, Benjamin Fenn, Jr., ensign. 

At the time the British troops were making their way across 
New Jersey towards Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the 
Avhole country became very much alarmed. While extraordi- 
nary efforts were being made to reinforce Gen. Washington 
and Gen. Lee, the General Assembly of Connecticut, in Decem- 
ber, earnestly called upon all able bodied men, living M'est of 
Connecticut river, to go forward and offer themselves for the 
service. A committee was appointed " to arouse and animate 
the people to rise and exert themselves with the greatest ex- 
pedition," and "to set on foot with all expedition an enlistment 
in the various parts of the State." On this committee are 
found the names of Mark Leavenworth and Capt. Thomas 
Porter, apparently of Waterbury. 

Near the close of this year, (1776,) the General Assembly 
reorganized the militia of the State, forming them into six bri- 
gades. At the same time, " it was enacted that all male per- 
sons from 16 years of age to 60 years, not included in the train- 
band, and exempted from ordinary training," (with certain ex- 
ceptions,) should be formed into companies, and equipped to 
constitute an alarm list. These were called "alarm companies." 
Those over fifty years of age could not be compelled to march 
out of the State. With this exception, they were, " in case of 
alarm, or orders given by a superior ofiicer," to be liable to 



340 HISTORY OF WATEKBUET. 

tlie same duties, service and penalties as others of tlie militia.* 
I find in Major Phineas Porter's " orderly book" a list of the 
officers of the alarm companies of Waterbury, (to wit,) 1. Capt. 
Phineas Castle, Lieut. Ashbel Porter, Ens. Timothy Clark. 
2. Capt, John Woodruff, Lieut. Thomas Dutton, Ens. John 
Stoddard. 3. Capt. Isaac Bronson, Lieut. Aaron Benedict, 
Ens. John Slater. L Capt. Jotham Curtis, Lieut. Timothy 
Pond, Ens. Samuel Scovill. 5. Capt. Stephen Seymour, Lieut. 
Daniel Sanford, Ens. Samuel Parker. 6. Capt. Josiah Terrel, 
Lieut. Stephen Hopkins, Ens. Hezekiah Hine. 

The experience gained in the campaigns in 1T75 and 1776 
had taught the country the ruinous effects of the system of 
short enlistments. JSTo sooner had the troops acquired some 
discipline and efficiency, than their term of service had expired, 
and their places must be filled by raw recruits. Patriotic senti- 
ments and enthusiasm, it was found, were not a safe de- 
pendence in a protracted war. They might lead to heroic 
deeds, as at Bunker Hill. They might sustain soldiers behind 
a breast-work ; but would not with certainty hold them to their 
duty in the open field and through a campaign. America 
must have trained battalions before she could meet successfully 
the disciplined armies of England. The Legislature, therefore, 
in compliance with a resolution of Congress, resolved that 
eight battalions (regiments) should be immediately raised, by 
enlistment, out of the Connecticut troops then in the army and 
other inhabitants of the State, to serve during the war, on the 
terms proposed by Congress.f Among the officers which were 
at the same time appointed, are found the names of David Smith, 
captain, and Michael Bronson, 1st lieutenant, both of Water- 
bury. This was in November, 1776. Capt. Smith's company 
was made up wholly, or nearly so, of Waterbury men. 

Waterbury's quota of troops for the eight regiments seems 
to have been one hundred and thirty-one. To devise measures 
to facilitate the enlistment, (which made but slow progress,) 
and in conformity to the recommendation of the governor 
and council of safety, a town meeting was called on the first 

* Hinman's Revolutionary War, p. 251. 

+ Afterwards, those who enlisted for three years were put upon the same footing as those 
who were engaged for the war, except the former had no part of the 100 acres of land. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 341 

day of April, 1T7T. At this meeting, a vote was passed to give 
each non-commissioned officer and soldier who should enlist, 
or had already enlisted, into the continental army, for three 
years, or during the war, twelve pounds lawful money annually, 
one half to be paid at the time of enlistment. To provide 
the means, a tax was laid of one shilling lawful money on the 
pound, and a committee appointed to act in the matter. 

That .the families of those who enlisted might be cared for, 
the governor and council recommended that the towns should 
provide for them the necessaries of life " at the price fixed by 
law." Waterbury resolved to make the provision and ap- 
pointed a committee to see it done. The members of the com- 
mittee (which was reappointed annually, in December) were 
Capt. Stephen Matthews, Thomas Dutton, Jonathan Scott, 
Benjamin Munson, Daniel Bronson, Capt. John Welton, John 
Thomson, Wait Ilotchkiss, Daniel Sanford, Samuel Scovill, 
Thomas Fancher, Capt. Samuel Porter, Gideon Hickox, Ste- 
phen Warner and Josiah Rogers. 

In October, ITYT, the Assembly ordered that each town in 
the State should procure immediately for each non-commis- 
sioned officer and soldier in the continental army belonging to 
such town, one shirt or more, one hunting shirt or frock, one 
pair woolen overalls, one (or two) pair of stockings and one 
pair of good shoes, at certain stipulated prices. If said arti- 
cles of clothing could not otherwise be procured, the town au- 
thorities were authorized " to impress " them wherever found, 
whenever they could be spared. A town meeting was held 
in October, according to recommendation, and a vote taken to 
comply, &c. To carry the object of the meeting into execu- 
tion, a committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Eli 
Bronson, David Taylor, Moses Cook, Peter Welton, Abraham 
Andrews, Samuel Hickox, Phineas Royce, Esq., John Dunbar, 
Caleb Barnes, Joseph Sutliff, Jr., Daniel Alcock, Simeon Hop- 
kins, Samuel Lewis, Esq., Gideon Hotchkiss and Ira Bebee. 
The result of the movement was that Waterbury provided 
(for which the selectmen presented an account against the 
State) 115 woolen shirts, containing 262^ yards of shirting ; 
24 linen shirts with 65 yds. of do.; 133 frocks, (hunting shirts,) 
having 366 yds. " toe cloth ;" 130 pairs of " over halls," having 



342 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

305^ yclB. fulled cloth ; 184 pairs of stockings ; 127 pairs of slioes ; 
5 sacks of "toe clotli" for transporting clothing. A bill was 
made out against the State for these items, to which was added 
" 28s. officers fees for impressing sundries of clothing." There 
may have been other articles furnished besides those mentioned 
in the above schedule, in order to make up the apparent de- 
hciency of some of them. The number of " frocks " named 
(133) may have been the whole number required, and may 
have represented the number of soldiers then in the regular 
army from Waterbury. 

The frock or hunting shirt was a common article of the sol- 
dier's dress in the Revolution. It was recommended by the 
commanding officer of the Connecticut troops in New York, 
as a part of the uniform, as follows : 

The General being sensible of the difficulty of providing cloth of almost any 
kind for the troops, feels an unwillingness to recommend, much more to order, 
any kind of uniform ; but as it is absolutely necessary that men should have 
clothes and appear decent and light, he earnestly encourages the use of hunting 
shirts, with long breeches of the same cloth made gaiter fashion about the legs, 
to all those who are unprovided. No dress can be had cheaper or more conven. 
lent, as the wearer can be cool in warm weather, and warm in cold w'eather by 
putting on under clothes, which will not change the outward dress, winter or 
summer — besides which, it is a dress supposed to carry no small terror to the 
enemy, who think every such man a complete marksman.* [Major Phineas Por- 
ter's Orderly Book, July 22d, 111Q.] 

Among the other articles which the American army stood 
in need of, and without which battles could not be won, was 
lead. A committee was appointed by the Legislature, consist- 
ing of Joseph Hopkins (of Waterbury) and others, to search 
for lead mines in the State. At the same time, it was provi- 
ded that the selectmen of all the towns should purchase all 
the lead they could find — lead weights, bar lead, old lead, shot, 
cfec, at a reasonable price, and to see that the same was cast 
into bullets of suitable and various sizes. The selectmen of 
Waterbury reported, March 26, 1777, that they had " collected 
foure hundred and fifty five lbs. and were running up the 

* Our ancestors were skillful in the use of fire arms. Hunting was with them an occupation. 
Deer abounded in our town, and were killed for food and clothing. There was a penalty for 
destroying them out of season, which was often exacted of the Waterbury hunters. Foxes and 
wild cdts were also common, and for the destruction of these the town paid a premium. It was 
in the pursuit of game that our fathers became marksmen. 



niSTOEY OF WATERBUEY. 343 

same into bullets, and had made some allowance for waste, 
the cost of which amounted to £16 — 17 — 6, at 9d. per lb." 
They asked for an order on the state treasury for that amount. 

In the campaign of 1T7T, the Connecticut militia were not 
quite so severely taxed as in the year previous. Late in 
April, however, the State was invaded for the first time, by 
Gov. Tyron, when Danbury (where some military stores had 
been accumulated) was burnt. The neighboring militia 
were summoned. Many arrived the next day to take part in 
the action, in which Gen. Wooster was mortally wounded. 
Aner Bradley (then, or immediately afterw^ards, of West- 
bury) received a musket ball in the side. 

In this year, Lieut. Col. Baldwin was stationed with his regi- 
ment at Fishkill and on the Hudson, as part of the force de- 
signed to guard the Highlands, and prevent the communica- 
tion of the enemy below with Gen. Burgoyne, who was com- 
ing down from the north. He had several companies from 
Waterbury wdth him, much reduced in the numbers of their 
men. The captain and commanding officers of these, accord- 
ing to a return made, were Benjamin Eichards, Aaron Bene- 
dict, John Woodruff", Phineas Castle, John Lewis, Thomas 
Fenn, ITathaniel Barnes, Josiah Terrell, Samuel Bronson, 
Jesse Curtis, Jotliam Curtis, Joseph Garnsey, the twelve 
companies having but 193 men. Other companies swelled the 
Avhole number of men to 434. 

Capt. John Lewis, Jr., (of Salem,) in pursuance of the or- 
ders of Lieut. Col. Baldwin, complained to the Legislature of 
his lieutenant, Ira Beebe. " I mustered," Lewis said, " and 
marched the company under my command to tlie Fishkills, 
where we arrived on or about the 8tli day of October last 
past ; and before I had opportunity to make a regimental re- 
turn of my company, said Lieut. Beebe did in fact come off 
and lead oft" a large number of my company without liberty 
and contrary to my orders," &c. The document is dated at 
Waterbury, Jan. 1, 1T7S, and will be found in the 3d Vol. of 
Revolutionary papers in the State Library. Beebe was or- 
dered to pay the costs that had arisen. 

There was some diiffculty about the payment of tlie lOtli 
regiment, in this year. Gen. Washington wrote a letter, da- 



34:4 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

ted April Ytli, 1777, to the governor of Connecticut, declining 
to pay, on account of the great disproportion of officers to 
soldiers, &c. The Assembly desired the governor to reply to 
the letter, " and state the peculiar circumstances of that regi- 
ment and request payment," &c. 

Many from Waterbury were in the northern army under 
Gen. Gates, and took part in the movements and the battles 
which terminated so gloriously in the capture of Burgoyne, in 
October, 1777. Lieut. Michael Bronson, attached to Col. 
Cook's regiment, acted as adjutant, and particularly distin- 
guished himself. 

In IsTovember, 1777, the "Articles of Confederation and 
Perpetual Union " were, after prolonged debate, agreed on by 
Congress. These were to be proposed to the several legisla- 
tures, approved by them, and again ratified by their delegates 
in Congress, before they went into operation. Before the Con- 
necticut Legislature had considered the subject, the town of "Wa- 
terbury held an adjourned meeting "for the purpose of taking 
into consideration the Articles of Confederation." The Arti- 
cles were read on« by one. The first, second, third and 
fourth were approved. "As to the fifth article, [says the 
record,] it is the mind of this meeting that the power of choos- 
ing delegates to Congress is invested in the people — on this 
condition we concur,"* The sixth and seventh articles were 
approved. The eighth article was " not satisfactory," on ac- 
count of " the method of proportioning the tax for supplying 
the common treasury." " As to the ninth article, where it 
mentions the number of land forces made by requisition from 
each state for its quota in proportion to white inhabitants in 
such state, we had rather choose it should be in proportion to 
the number of free subjects in each state." The remaining 
articles were approved. " After going through the whole of 
said articles, [continues the record,] the whole Avas put to vote 
and passed in the atfirmative, excepting the above exceptions 
and reserves." 

After the Declaration or Lidependence and its approval by 

* The fifth article provided that the delegates should "be annually appointed in such man- 
ner as the Legislature of each State shall direct," with a power reserved to each State to recall 
its members, at any time, and send others. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUKT. 345 



eel and defined. At the same time, an oath of fidelity to tlie 
State was prescribed and enjoined, to be taken by the free- 
men and ofiicers of the same. No person conld execute any 
office after Jan. 1, 1777, till he had taken the oath of fidelity; 
and no freeman could vote for any oflicer till he had done the 
same. This law was repealed in December, but another was 
enacted in June, 1777. At the session in August, the members 
of the Assembly took the prescribed oath. Mr. Joseph Hop- 
kins and Capt. Ezra Bronson were tlie representatives from 
"Waterbury. On the 16tli of September following, (and after- 
wards,) the oath was administered to the freemen of Waterbury. 
The list, headed by Kev. Mark Leavenworth, will be found in 
the beginning of the second volume of town meetings. 

During the severe winter of 1777-8, Washington was en- 
camped with his army at Yalley Forge, Pa. Hunger, naked- 
ness, disease and discontent came near breaking up the army. 
Capt. David Smith, writing from the " Camp of Pennsylva- 
nia," under date of Jan. 18, 1778, made a return of the names 
of persons under his command, from Waterbury. They are 
as follows: Sylvanus Adams, John Saxton, Ezekiel Scott, 
Lue Smith, Joseph Freedom, Mark Richards, Ezekiel TJpson, 
Joel Roberts, Elisha Munson, Elisha Hickox, William Bassett. 

In 1778, the military companies of Waterbury were formed 
into a distinct regiment by the name of the 28th regiment. 
The field officers were Col. Phineas Porter, (of Waterbury,) 
Lieut. Col. Benjamin Richards, (of Westbury,) and Major 
Jesse Curtis, (of ]^orthbury.) In this year and afterwards, 
Waterbury appears to have furnished its full proportion of 
troops both for the regular army or " continental line," and 
for militia duty. Those who remained at home contributed, 
according to their ability, to sustain the burdens of the war. 
These burdens in the form of regular taxes, provisions, cloth- 
ing, camp equipage, &c., were heavier, perhaps, than were 
ever before borne by a numerous people, voluntarily. In the 
early part of the war, the men were so generally absent on 
militar}'- duty that there were scarcely any persons left except 
the aged, the infirm and the women to do the farm work — to put 
in and secure the crops, and take care of the farm stock. 



340 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

Tliere was danger of famine, not only in tlie array, but among 
the people at large. The disordered condition of the currency, 
connected with large emissions of irredeemable paper, made 
(to keep up its credit) a legal tender, added greatly to the 
embarrassments of the country. Labor was robbed of its re- 
ward ; honesty and fair dealing were discouraged. Individ- 
uals took advantage of the necessities of the government and 
the general destruction of credit. To prevent extortion, the 
Legislature undertook the business of regulating the prices of 
all commodities (including labor) by statute. Tlius the dif- 
ficulty was aggravated. Few, at this time, have adequate con- 
ceptions of the distressed condition of our country in those 
dark and perilous days. Those who talk flippantly of our in- 
stitutions ; who disparage our government ; who speak lightly 
of the blessings of union and the advantages secured by the 
Constitution — know little of their worth — know little of the 
toil and privation, the agony and the blood, which purchased 
them ! 

Much of the business in town meetings, during the war, 
was to provide ways and means for carrying on the contest. 
Committees were appointed from year to year, to furnish cloth- 
ing for the soldiers and provide for their families at home, to col- 
lect provisions for the army, to make tents, &c., &c. When arti- 
cles could not otherwise be obtained, impressment was resorted 
to. Much difiiculty was experienced in complying with the de- 
mands of Congress and the State for soldiers. After the first 
enthusiasm had subsided, men were reluctant to enlist, partic- 
ularly for three years, or during the war. To make the pay 
sure, the town guaranteed the wages offered and usually added 
a considerable bonus. Heavy fines were imposed for delin- 
quency on those who were drafted. Eli Blakeslee, Samuel 
How, Ebenezer Bradley, Jr., and Joseph Bradley, were draft- 
ed to go to New Haven, but neglected to appear. They were 
arraigned before the County Court in April, 1779, and fined 
each £10, and costs amounting to £9, 9s. 

Of the 1,500 soldiers which the Assembly ordered, in May, 
1780, to be raised for the continental army, Waterbury and 
Watertown were required to furnish 26. At a town meeting 
held in June, a committee, consisting of Capt. Phineas Castle, 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 317 

Capt. Samuel Bronson, Capt. Isaac Bronson, Jr., Mr. Ira Bee- 
be, Capt. .^^oiali Terrel, Capt. Samuel Upson, Capt. Levi 
Gaylord, Messrs. Michael Bronson, Joseph Beach, Jr., Street 
Kichards, Timothy Clark and Jude Hoadley, was appointed 
to hire Waterbury's proportion (thirteen) " to inlist into the 
continental army in any company, battalion or regiment, as 
they shall choose, for the term of three years, or during the 
war, and if the men cannot be obtained for so long a term, 
until the first of January next," At the same time, the town 
pledged itself that one half of the bounty or w^ages should be 
paid in provision or clothing, at the prices such articles com- 
monly sold for in 1774, and the other half in lawful money, 
or its equivalent in bills of credit, payable once a year, once 
in six months, or once in three months, as the committee 
should agree. In July following, the same committee was 
directed " to engage ten other soldiers, which are now ordered 
to be raised by the governor and council of safety." 

In November, 1780, "VYaterbury and Watertown were order- 
ed to provide 11 soldiers for the continental army. 

Early in 1781, there was a pressing demand for troops for 
Horse I^eck. Waterbury resolved to raise its quota, agreea- 
ble to the act of the Assembly in ISTovember preceding. They 
were to serve one year from the ensuing first of March. Ben- 
jamin Munson, James Porter, Jr., David Taylor, Daniel Alcock, 
Jude Hoadley and Ebenezer Porter were chosen a committee 
to procure Waterbury's quota. At the same time, heavy taxes 
were laid, and to facilitate the collection, the tax-payers were 
divided into several " classes " (eighteen) and a collector ap- 
pointed for each. To help out, the selectmen were desired to 
make a loan, on the town's credit, of a sufficient sum, in state 
money, for hiring the soldiers for Horse Neck. Some de- 
clined to pay the taxes. Capt. Samuel Upson and others of 
the third class, in Farmingbury, represented that Abraham 
"Wooster refused to pay. His tax was 21s., and he was order- 
ed by town vote to be assessed for double the amount, accord- 
ing to law. David Wooster, David Welton, Henry Grilley, 
Stephen Scovill and Timothy Scovill also refused, and were 
served in the same way. 

In March, 1781, the town voted to raise ten footmen and 



348 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

one mounted horseman for Horse ISTeck, according to act of 
Assembly, and engaged tliat tlie wages offered by tlie State 
should be punctually paid in silver at 6s. 8d. per ounce, or an 
equivalent in bills of credit. And the committee, Eli Bronson 
and JosejDh Atkins, Jr., was authorized to pledge such addi- 
tional payment as might be necessary. If said soldiers were 
not obtained by the first of April, (lYSl,) the inhabitants were 
to be divided into classes by Messrs. Ashbel Porter, John 
Thomson and Daniel Byington, committee, according to the 
list of 1780, each class to provide for one recruit. 

In June, 1781, John Welton was chosen agent to hire seven 
soldiers for the continental army for one year, " on as reason- 
able terms as he can." A rate was also laid of four pence on 
the pound, payable in gold or silver, or good merchantable 
beef cattle, at the prices fixed by the General Assembly, for 
the purpose of providing for the continental army. 

In July, 1781, six soldiers for continental service w^re to be 
furnished by Waterbury, and Capt. John Welton, Dr. Isaac 
Baldwin, Charles Upson, David Hotchkiss, Isaac Judd and 
Eli Bronson were chosen to divide the town into six classes, 
each class to provide one. Another tax was at the same time laid 
of three pence on a pound, payable in lawful silver money, or 
provisions, or clothing. In December, one soldier was want- 
ing to complete the town's quota " for Horse Neck tower," 
[tour,] and he was to be provided by Stephen Bronson and 
others, committee. 

Feb. 25, 1782, the town passed a vote to lay a tax of three 
half pence on the pound "for the purpose of procuring seven 
men for the post of Horse 'Neck and western frontier, accord- 
ing to an act of the Greneral Assembly passed in January 
last," to be paid in cattle, sheep, swine or grain, " according 
to the true value thereof in ready money." Joseph Beach, 
Jr., was chosen a committee to procure them, he to be allowed 
a reasonable reward for his services.* At an adjourned meet- 
ing, March 11th, measures were taken to supply seven men, 
" able bodied and effective," for the continental army. Charles 

* The town sometimes contracted with individuals to furnish the required soldiers. In 1780, 
for instance, Seba Bronson and William Leavenworth were the contractors, as appears from 
some difficulty in the settlement with them this year, (1782.) 



HISTOKY OF WATEEBUKY. 



349 



Upson and David Hotclikiss were cliosen a committee to hire 
them. To defray the expense, another tax of three half pence 
was voted, payable as before, in cattle, sheep or swine, or in 
wheat at 5s., rye at 3s. 4d., corn at 2s. 6d., oats at Is. 6d. 

In the war of the Revolntion, no person from Waterbury 
attained a higher rank in the regular army than that of major. 
David Smith of ISTorthbury continued an officer during the 
war, and for some time before its close held the commission 
of major. He was attached, in the commencement of 1781, 
to the fifth regiment of infantry of the " Connecticut line," 
commanded by Lieut. Col. Isaac Sherman. 

I give below a list of such names as I have obtained of those 
persons from Waterbury who were engaged in the war of the 
Ke volution. The list is very incomplete. 



Ethan Andruss, 
Timothy Andruss, 
John Ames, 
Samuel Ames, 
Sylvanus Adams, 
Luke Adams, 
James Adams, 
Daniel Allen, 
Josiah Atkins, 
Solomon Alcock, 
Samuel Alcock, 
John B. Alcock, 
Lieut. Aaron Benedict, 
Obed Blakeslee, 
Enos Blakeslee, 
John Blakeslee, 
Amasa Blakeslee, 
Joel Blakeslee, 
Benjamin Bates, 
Col. Jonathan Baldwin, 
Ens. Theophilus Baldwii 
Abel Baldwin, 
Benjamin Baldwin, 
Elihu Benham, 
Stephen Bristor, 
William Basset, 
Lieut. Ira Beebe, 
Aner Bradley, 
John Beach, 
Thaddeus Beach, 
Clark Baird, 
Benjamin Barnes, 



Daniel Barnes, 
Capt. Nathaniel Barnes, 
Thaddeus Barnes, Jr., 
Capt. Isaac Bronson, 
Dr. Isaac Bronson, 
Lieut. Michael Bronson, 
Titus Bronson, 
Roswell Bronson, 
Asahel Bronson, 
Joseph Bronson, 
Daniel Bronson, 
Eliel Barker, 
Isaac Barker, 
Giles Brocket, 
Ebenezer Brown, 
Thomas Cole, 
John Cole, 
Thomas Chilman, 
Timothy Cook, 
Joel Cook, 
Samuel Cook, 
William Cook, 
Selah Cook, 
Bethel Camp, 
Lieut. Samuel Camp, 
Samuel Camp, Jr., 
EU Curtis, 
Stephen Curtis, 
Samuel Curtis, 
Capt. Jesse Curtis, 
Capt. Jotham Curtis, 
Zadoc Curtis, 



Israel Calkins, 
Roswel Calkins, 
Richard Clark, 
Capt. Phineas Castle, 
Asahel Chittenten, 
Amos Culver, 
Cuff Capenny, 
Lieut. Thomas Dutton, 
Lieut. Titus Dutton, 
Stephen Davis, 
Jonathan Davis, 
Miles Dunbar, 
Amos Dunbar, 
Joel Dunbar, 
Isaac Dayton, 
Samuel Dayton, 
Nathaniel Edwards, 
Elisha Frost, 
Aaron Fenn, 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Ens. Benjamin Fenn, 
Cephas Ford, 
Joseph Freedom, 
John Fallendon, 
Lieut. John Fulford, 
James Fulford, 
Israel Frisbie, 
David Foot, 
Moses Foot, 
Bronson Foot, 
Benjamin Gaylord, 
Jonathan Gaylord, 



350 



HISTOET OF WATERBUKT. 



Southmayd Garnsey, 
Jonathan Garnsey, 
Capt. Joseph Garnsey, 
Paul Griggs, 
Suneou Graves, 
James Grannis, 
Gideon Hickox, 
Elisha Hiclcox, 
William Hickox, Jr., 
Capt. James Hickox, 
Abraham Hotchkiss, 
Truman Hotchkiss, 
Ebenezer Hotchkiss, 
Jesse Hotchkiss, 
■«*^iCapt. Gideon Hotchkiss, 
Timothy Humaston, 
Jared Humaston, 
Lemuel Hopkins, 
Hollingsworth Hine, 
Bgnjamin Hine, 
Hezekiah Hine, 
Reuben Hine, 
Nathaniel Hall, 
James Hull, 

Culpepper Hoadlcy, 
Philo Hoadley, 
Ebenezer Hoadley, 

William Hoadley, 

Jude Hoadley, 

Lazarus Ives, 

Elnathan Ives, 

Dennis Judd, 

Samuel Judd, 

Daniel Judd, 

Freeman Judd, 

Chandler Judd, 

Stephen Judd, 

Brewster Judd, 

Samuel Kimball, 

Capt. John Lewis, Jr., 

Serg. Samuel Lewis, 

Joseph Lewis, 

David Lewis, 

Joel Lines, 

Richard Lawrence, 

Charles Merriman, 

Thomas Merchant, 



Elisha Munson, 
Nathaniel Morris, 
Levi Marks, 
Philip Martin, 
Samuel Mix, 
Titus Mix, 

Capt. Stephen Matthews, 
Jonah Mallory, 
Joseph Mun, 
Timon Miles, 
Jo.seph Minor, 
Abijah Osborn, 
Joshua Osborn, 
Isaac Osborn, 
Maj. Phineas Porter, 
Truman Porter, 
Lieut. Pendleton, 
Daniel Pendleton, 
Jared Prichard, 
George Prichard, 
George Prichard, Jr., 
Amasa Preston, 
Jonathan Pardee, 
Luke Potter, 
Munson Pond, 
Ward Peck, 
Augustus Peck, 
Eliel Parker, 
Elijah Parker, 
Aaron Parker, 
Capt. Benjamin Richards, 
Mark Richards, 
Joel Roberts, 
Capt. Neheminh Rice, 
Elijah Steele, 
John Stoddard, 
John Smith, 
Isaac Smith, 
Levi Smith, 
Allen Smith, 
Samuel Smith, 
Lue Smith, 
Maj. David Smith, 
John Saxton, 
Samuel Strickland, 
Ezekiel Scott, 
Uri Scott, 



Serg. Stephen Scott, 
Ansel Spencer, 
EHsha Spencer, 
Asa Sawyer, 
Nathan Seward, 
Stephen Scovill, 
Timothy Scovill, 
Ezekiel Sanford, 
Stephen Seymour, 
William Southmayd, 
Ezekiel Tuttle, 
Jabez Tuttle, 
Timothy Tuttle, 
Ens. Timothy Tuttle, 
Hezekiah Tuttle, 
Asa Thayer, 
Capt. Josiah Terrell, 
Ichabod Terrell, 
Joel Terrell, 
Jared Terrell, 
Thomas Terrell, 
Israel Terrell, 
Isaac Terrell, 
Elihu Terrell, 
William Turner, 
Ezekiel Upson, 
Benjamin LTpson, 
Stephen Upson, 
Benjamin Wooster, 
Edward Warren, 
Samuel Welton, 
James Welton, 
Stephen Welton, Jr., 
Job Welton, 
Increase Wade, 
Samuel Woodruff, 
Lambert Woodruff, 
Edward Woodruff, 
Capt. John Woodruff, 
Abel Woodward, 
Thomas Warden, 
Bartholomew Williams, 
Obadiah Williams, 
Philemon Wilcox, 
Stephen Warner, 
Justus Warner. 



Thomas Hickox (of Westbury) and Ezra Bronson were purchasing commissaries ; 
the first during most of the war, and the last in 1782 and afterwards. 



HISTOEY OF WATEEBURY. 351 

In tlie very commencement of the war, the Royalists or 
Tories of Waterbury, by their acts and words, aroused the 
jealousy of the "Whigs. There was, at that time, within the 
bounds of the first society, two military companies. One of 
these was commanded by Whigs. All the officers of the other, 
with the exception of one sergeant, were Tories, and took no 
pains to disguise their sentiments. The General Court, as 
early as June, 1774, appointed a committee to examine into 
the facts and report. Thomas Mathewson (Matthews ?) and 
Timothy Judd were the committee. The next year, a formal 
complaint was made of their commanding ofiicer to the As- 
sembly by certain members of the company, "Whigs, as follows : 

To the Honorable General Assembly, to be bolden at New Haven, on the 2d 

Thursday of October, A. D. 1775. 

The memorial of the subscribers, inhabitants of Waterbui'y, within the limits 
of the miUtary company or train-band under the command of Capt. Hezekiah 
Brown, humbly showeth — That your memoriahsts, sensible of the importance of 
supporting the natural and chartered rights, liberties, privileges and properties of 
the inhabitants of the American colonies, and anxious to find any person or 
persons unfriendly to the continental method of defending said colonies, think 
ourselves obliged to inform your Honors that the said Brown is disaffected with, 
and unfriendly to, the present method 'advised by the Continental Congress, and 
adopted by your Honors, for the common defence; which fully appears by the 
following sentence pronounced by said Brown, in the hearing of sundry people, 
at sundry times, viz : that the Congress ought to be punished for putting the 
country to so much cost and charge ; for they did no more good than a parcel of 
squaws. And some time in the latter end of May last, did say, that he did not 
see the necessity of this Colony raising soldiers, as it was unnecessary expense 
and the Assembly had no right to do it ; and that Boston had wrongfully under- 
taken to quarrel about the tea, and we had no hand in it ; and by his justifying 
his brother John Brown in exclaiming against the authority of this Colony for 
raising men to defend the Colony ; and by saying that our General Assembly was 
as arbitrary as the pope of Rome, when they cashiered Capt. Amos Bronson and 
Ensign Samuel Scovill ; by saying that the Congress, in some of the Articles of 
their Association, was as arbitrary as ever they were in Rome. And soon after 
the battle of Lexington, in April last, by saying in the time of the alarm, that he 
would not go one step further for the relief of the people in Boston than he was 
obhged to go. 

Therefore, your memorialists would humbly observe, that as all military officers 
in this Colony hold their commissions by your Honors' authority, solely for the 
purpose of defending the lives, liberties and properties of the people, we think 
it is very inconsistent that any person should hold a commission who is. in- 
clined to use his influence against the authority that granted it ; and very unsafe 
for this Colony at the present critical and important crisis, and is very grievous to 



352 HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 

your memorialists to be under the command of an officer in whom we cannot con- 
fide. And therefore pray your Honors to grant such relief as your wisdom and 
justice shall direct; and we as in duty bound shall ever pray. Dated at Water- 
bury the 3d day of October, A. D. 1775. 

[Signed] Joseph Beach, Thineas Castle, Daniel Bronson, Moses Cook, Anms 
Prichard, Thomas Bronson, Jr. [Historical Collections relating to the War nl' 
the Revolution: compiled by R. R. Hinman, 1842, p. 547.] 

A warrant was served upon Brown to appear and answer t<j 
tlie charges ; but no decisive action appears to have been had. 
Afterwards, however, at the Ma}^ session of the Legislature, 
on information that Capt, Brown (of the 12th company of tlie 
10th regiment, then commanded by CoL James Wordsworth) 
had refused to obey certain orders given him by Jonatlian 
Bahlwin, lieut. colonel of the regiment, to detach men for the 
service, said Brown was ordered to be arrested and brought 
before the Assembly to answer, &c. Col. Baldwin and others 
were summoned as witnesses. After a full hearing, the delin- 
quent officer was cashiered, made incapable of holding milita- 
ry office, and his company disbanded. Soon after, or March 
23, 1777 (?), Brown left Waterbury, joined the royal army in 
New York, received a captain's commission and before long 
(Aug. 27, 1777) died among his new friends. His real estate 
was improved, and his personal estate forfeited and sold, for 
the benefit of the commonwealth. After his death, the real 
estate was restored to the widow. 

In December, 1775, the General Assembly of Connecticut 
enacted laws to punish persons inimical to the rights and lib- 
erties of the Colony or the united colonies. To supply the en- 
emy (" the ministerial army or navy ") with provisions, or 
military or naval stores ; to give them information ; to enlist 
into their service or to persuade others to do so ; to pilot or 
assist their naval vessels, or to take up arms against the Colo- 
ny or the united colonies, was punished, on conviction before 
the Superior Court, by a forfeiture of estate for the use of the 
Colony, and imprisonment not exceeding three years. If a 
person spoke or wrote against, libeled or defamed, the resolves 
of Congress or the acts of the Assembly, he was to be disarm- 
ed and disqualilied for office, and be imprisoned, disfranchised 
or fined, at the discretion of the Court, he to give surety for 
good behavior. If any man sought the protection of the ene- 




I'AmrEUBYGIfHlTE 



<7£n Sr SAMUEL SARTAiU 



IIISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 358 

my's arniY or navy, or aided in the execution of the ministerial 
measures ag-ainst tlie colonies, his estate was to be attached and 
improved tor the benefit of the Colony. The selectmen and com- 
mittee of inspection were authorized to cause any person, com- 
plained of as inimical to the liberties of the people to be brought 
before them and disarmed, if he could not disprove the charge. 
At the next session, in May, the old colonial law against high 
treason was repealed, " every part and paragraph thereof." 

After the declaration of Independence, the first act that was 
passed by the Legislature was one against high ti-eason, in which 
the "State " and the " United States of America " took the place 
of "our Sovreign Lord and King." Death was the penalty of 
levying war against the government, betraying it, furnishing 
its enemies with arms or intelligence, &c., &c. To attempt to 
join the enemies of the State or United States ; to try to per- 
suade any person to aid, assist, or comfort them, or to have 
knowledge of persons doing the same and concealing it, was 
punished by fine, and imprisonment not exceeding ten years. 

In February, 1781, still more stringent laws, aimed at what 
is called " freedom of speech and the press," Avere passed. One 
enacted that if any person, being a citizen, " should by writing 
profess or declare that the king of Great Britain hath or of right 
ought to have, any authority or dominion in or over this State, 
or the inhabitants thereof, or that he or they owe allegiance to 
the said king within the same," &c., he shall be " put to death." 
Another law enacted that if any citizen shall " by words profess 
or declare that the king of Great Britain hath or of right 
ought to have any authority or dominion in and over this 
State," (fee, (the same words are used as in the other law,) he 
" shall suffer imprisonment in Newgate during the present war." 

Be it said, to the credit of Connecticut, that its laws di- 
rected against the enemies of the Kevolution were less severe 
than in most of the other States. 

In the course of the year 1776, after the defeat of the Amer- 
ican forces on Long Island, when the British army was lying 
in and about Kew York, the patriot cause looking desperate 
enough, about eight}^ persons. Royalists, left Waterbury with 
the intention of joining the enemy. Some were taken on the 
wav by the Americans, but most of them reached their desti- 
23 



35± HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

nation. They did not, however, meet with the reception they 
expected. Instead of being welcomed and petted, they were 
treated with superciliousness and neglect. The discipline of 
the army the}^ found almost intolerable, and a thorough disgust 
for their new friends soon took the place of former admiration. 
Many, taking advantage of the proclamations by Congress of 
pardon to such as should return to duty, deserted the royal stan- 
dard, came home and took the oath of allegiance to the State. 
A part of these entered the American service. IsTumbers died or 
were killed wdille still with the British army. A few served in 
it till the close of the war. Of the latter number, a part, after 
peace was declared, settled in Nova Scotia. Others found a home 
in the southern states, while two or three returned to Waterbury. 
The following list embraces the names of persons who left 
Waterbury during the Revolutionary war, with the intention 
of joining the enemy. The list is not complete : 

John Baxter ; retuvned to Waterbury. 

Daniel Benham. 

Asa Blakeslee ; left Waterbury Dec. 4, 1776. His father, David, who encour- 
aged him to go, was assessed for the support of a soldier in the American army, 
but died before the tax was collected. 

John Blakeslee ; died on Long Island wiiile with the British. 

Zealous Blakeslee. 

Bela Bronson; left Waterbury Dec. 10, 1776. His personal estate was confis- 
cated. He died on Long Island with the British. 

David Brown, son of Daniel ; died with the British in New York. 

Capt. Hezekiah Brown. (See p. 351.) 

Levi Brown ; died with the British. 

Zera Brown, son of Capt. Hezekiah. He went away with his father (and 
through his influence) in 1776, and joined the enemy on Long Island. The father 
died, and the son, " convinced of his error," returned to Waterbury and gave 
himself up to the civil authority. He was fined by the Superior Court £30, and or- 
dered not to leave the town. In 1783, he presented a petition for a discharge — that 
he might labor for the support of his mother in Watertown, which was not granted. 

Noah Candee, or Cambe ; estate confiscated. 

Samuel Doolittle. His estate was confiscated. 

James Doolittle ; estate improved for the benefit of the State. 

John Dowd ; joined the enemy at the age of 15 years ; was ordered to go south 
and was there taken prisoner. He was confined in goal 15 months in Pennsylva- 
nia. His father, Jacob, brought a petition to the Assembly, saying that his son 
was seduced away, and was now wilhng to serve his country. He desired that he 
(the son) might have liberty to return home. The request was granted, bonds to 
be given for good behavior. 

Samuel Dowd. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 355 

Moses Dunbar. He went to the enemy and returned with a captain's commis- 
sion, to Northbury. Against the entreaties of his father, brothers, wife and child- 
ren, he attempted to enlist a company of soldiers, for the enemy's service, 
and was taken with King George's commission in his pocket. He was convicted 
and hung in Hartford, March 19, 1777. The gallows, in a public place, was kept 
standing for a long time as a warning to others. 

Elihu Grilley, ^ sons of Jehula ; 

Daniel Grilley, J both died with the British. 

Dan Finch ; returned before the close of the war. 

William Finch. 

Capt. Abraham Hickox. He left Jan. 10, 1776, entered the British army; was 
ordered south iu 1779, and was finally killed in battle. He had been a deputy 
sheriif in Waterbury, and his property was improved for the benefit of the State. 

Darius Hickox; returned and married in Waterbury. 

Joel Hickox. He went to Long Island with his father, in 1776, and on his sep- 
aration from him, " made a cruise in the boating service," was taken prisoner and 
confined in Newgate during the pleasure of the Court, for not pleading to the 
indictment, he claiming the right of exchange as a British subject. When the 
prison was broken open, he escaped to Long Island, whence he returned in ten 
days, having released an American prisoner. He then brought a petition (from 
which the above facts are gathered) to the General Court, in which he confessed 
his error, and asked to be released. He was required to give a bond of £150 for 
good behavior and appearance at Court, he to remain in Waterbury. 

Reuben Hickox ; returned and then removed to Xova Scotia. 

William Hickox. 

Daniel Killum ; died with the British. 

William Maningirrous ; estate confiscated. 

David Manvil. He with others, Jesse Tuttle and Epha Warner, joined the en- 
emy on Long Island, served them till Nov. 1777, and then escaped. They were 
examined by Gen. Parsons, and received from him a pass to return home. They 
were then committed to goal, but were afterwards suffered to go at large. One 
of them enlisted into the American service. They brought a petition to the As- 
sembly, in which they asked pardon and prayed that their furniture might be re- 
stored to them. The request was granted, and the officers who held the goods in 
custody were authorized to return them, notwithstanding their seizure and con- 
demnation, the petitioners paying the costs that had arisen. 

Mead Merrell. 

Richard Miles ; estate improved for the benefit of the State. He deserted from 
the British service. 

Heman Monson ; deserted from the British service. A prosecution against him 
was dismissed March, 1778. 

Daniel Nichols ; died with the British. 

Isaac Nichols ; died with the British, in 1776. 

William Nichols ; estate confiscated. He went to Nova Scotia after the war, 
and there died. 

Asahel Parker ; returned to Waterbury. 

Elisha Parker; died with the British of small pox. 

John Parker ; died with the British. 



3o6 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

John Porter. 

Timothy Porter; returned and took the oath of fidelity to the State. 

Elihu Prichard ; died with the British. 

Eliphalet Prichard of Northbury ; returned after the war. 

Thomas Prichard ; died with the British. 

EU Rowley ; deserted from the British. 

Elijah Scott. 

Noah Scott. 

Timothy Scovill ; returned, and enlisted into the American army. 

Isaac Shelton ; returned. 

William Seeley ; returned. 

Jesse Tuttle ; see David Manvil. 

Aaron Warner ; returned. 

David Warner, son of Aaron ; returned. 

Epha Warner ; see David Manvil. He took the oath of fidelity in Dec. 1777. 

Justus Warner, i brothers ; were taken on the way and brough back. Justus 

Mark Warner, ) died in Liverpool, April 16, 1856, aged 100 years and 20 days. 

Seth Warner ; deserted from the British. 

Eben Way ; returned. 

Titus Way ; left Dec. 4, 1776. After the war he went to Nova Scotia. 

Amasa Welton ; remained with the British but a short time ; returned and took 
the oath of fidelity. 

Arad Welton ; went to the south and there married. 

Ezekiel Welton ; estate confiscated ; returned after the war and removed to 
Nova Scotia. 

Noah Welton. 

Stephen Welton ; returned and was one of the first to take the oath of fidelity. 

Benoni Welton, ) sons of Eliakim, one died in New York, and the other while 

Moses Welton, ) serving in Burgoyne's army. 

Daniel Wooster. 

Oliver Welton. He was convicted of trying to enlist Joel Roberts into the ene- 
my's service. After the war, as his conviction rested on Roberts' testimony 
alone, he petitioned the Assembly to discharge him from the execution. The 
,prayer was granted, but afterwards the vote was reconsidered and negatived. The 
next year, (1786,) on petition, he had liberty to pay in state securities. 

[In the early part of 1780, (March 14th,) the bouse of Capt. Ebenezer Dayton, 
of New Haven, in the present town of Bethany, was broken into and robbed in 
the night, by a party of seven Royalists, headed by one Graham (" John Luke, 
otherwise called Alexander Graham ") of Long Island. Several of the party 
belonged to Waterbury, and the affair made quite a stir. Dayton was a Whig, 
had lived on Long Island, and was charged (without foundation, it is alleged) with 
having been concerned in a robbery there. He was known to have money (which 
appeared to have been the main object of the burglars) and was absent in Boston at 
the time. Nobody was in the house except Mrs. Dayton and several children. Her 
hands were tied and her life threatened, if she made the least noise. £450 
in gold and silver were carried off and much property destroyed, the whole loss 
being nearly £5,000. After leaving the house, the robbers came north and were 
.«ecreted for several days, in the houses of David and Thomas Wooster in Gunn- 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 357 

town. Afterwards they lay hid in a barn of Esq. John Wooster, (brother of Da- 
vid and Thomas,) in Oxford. They finally fled, and took a boat at Stratford for 
Long Island. The people of Waterbury and of other town.s rallied and gave chase. 
The fugitives, all but one, were taken (says the Connecticut Journal of the time) on 
the Island, when they had nearly reached the British lines. They were brought 
back, examined before Esq. Hopkins, tried, condemned and sent to Newgate. 
Several of them — Jesse Cady, Noah Cande, David Wooster, Jr., and Samuel Doo- 
little (probably) were of Waterbury. Henry Wooster, Jr., one of the party, 
was of Derby. Doolittle, 18 years of age, was sentenced for your years, and was 
to pay a fine of £50 and costs. He petitioned for a commutation of punishment, 
on the ground that he was young, and was "seduced" by Graham. His prayer 
was not granted. David Wooster, Sen., was fined £500, the amount of his entire 
property. The prisoners, with others, finally (May, 1*781) broke goal and escaped. 
A prison sentry was killed. David Wooster, Jr., (who held a musket to Mrs. 
Dayton's head, threatening her life,) was taken and confined in Hartford goal. He 
brought a petition for a release, in which he asked pardon, pleaded his youth, 
(being at the time of the robbery but 17 years of age,) claimed that he was se- 
duced by Graham, and offered to enlist into the army. He was released on £150 
bond, and permitted to live in some town on the east side of Connecticut River. 
Afterwards, he was released from his bond, and allowed to reside west of the 
river, (with a permit from Gen. Spencer,) when he returned home. He died a 
few years ago.] 

The main east and west road tlirongh the town of Water- 
bury, communicating with Hartford and Middletown east- 
ward, and with Fishkill and the Hudson river, by way of 
Breakneck Hill in Middlebury, westward, was much used in 
the Revolutionary war, (as it had been in previous wars,) for 
the passage of troops and the transportation of stores.* It was 
the most southern of the traveled roads, at a safe distance 
from the sea, (the sea was in possession of the enemy,) which 
connected iJ^Tew England with the west and south. Teams for 
carrying goods and supplies ran frequently and regularly to 
and from Tishkill. In the fall of 1777, after the capture of 
Burgoyne, a detachment of the American army with the 

* In July, 1780, the town directed the selectmen to petition the General Assembly " to make 
provision for cost arising by soldiers when sick on the road to and from the army, belonging to 
this State." 

Small pox prevailed extensively in the American army and was communicated to the Wa- 
terbury people. On account of several deaths from the disease, a town meeting was called in 
March, 1778, to consider the expediency of inoculation. Liberty to inoculate, under certain 
restrictions, was granted in September. A like liberty was given in Feb. 1:82, to all the males 
of the town over ten years of age, and to all people living on the continental (or main east and 
west) road, till the 20th of March then ensuing. Afterwards, April, 17S4, permission was given 
to Dr. Abel Bronson to erect a building and practice inoculation for smallpox. He availed 
himself of the privilege, and established a pest house in Middlebury, which became somewhat 
famous. 



358 HISTORY OF WATEKBUET, 

enemy's splendid train of artillery passed over this road to the 
eastward. They pitched their tents and encamped for a night 
in Manhan Meadow, just above the bridge. Many people 
visited the ground to see the beautiful brass field pieces, all 
ranged in a line. 

Gen. La Fayette, once during the war, perhaps more than 
once, passed through "Waterbury. He, at one time, attended 
only by his aids, lodged at the house of Capt. Isaac Bronson, 
at Breakneck, who then kept tavern. The host introduced 
him to his best chamber, in which was his best bed. But La 
Fayette caused the feather bed to be removed, saying " straw 
for the soldier ;" and made the straw underbed his couch for 
the night. He also, on one occasion, stopped at the house of 
Esq. (Joseph) Hopkins, then the most prominent civilian in 
the place. He is described as a slender, handsome youth, who 
sat a horse beautifully, and altogether made a fine appearance. 
I am unable to say whether or not his visits at Isaac Bronson's 
and Esq. Hopkins' occurred in the same journey. In the sum- 
mer of 1778, La Fayette was detached by Washington from 
the continental army near New York to go to Ehode Island 
to assist to expel the British from Newport. The enterprise 
failed, and in the fall, La Fayette returned to the Hudson river, 
met Washington at Fishkill, and soon sailed for Europe. In 
these journeys to and from Rhode Island, it would have been 
most natural for him to pass by way of Fishkill, Waterbury, 
Middletown, &c. 

Gen. Washington passed through Waterbury, certaiidy once, 
on his way to Hartford. He had with him Gen. Knox and a 
somewhat numerous escort. He rode a chestnut colored horse, 
came across Breakneck, and returned the salutations of the 
boys by the road side. His dignity of manner, set off by his 
renown, made a durable impression on all who beheld him. 
He dined with Esq. Hopkins, whose house stood on the site of 
S. M. Buckingham's dwelling. An anecdote is told of him 
which may be true, though it conflicts somewhat with the well 
known benevolence of his character. Mr. Hopkins made 
many inquiries, and at last became decidedly inquisitive. 
After reflecting a little on his last question, Washington said — 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 359 

"Ml*. Hopkins, can jou keep a secret?" — "I can."— "So can 
I," the General instantly replied. 

Tliis visit of Washington to AVaterbury must have occurred 
while on one of his journeys to Hartford to consult with 
Count Rochambeau and the French officers concerning 
the conduct of the war. These consultations occurred, the 
first, late in September, 1780, and the other, late in May, 
1781. It is supposed to have been in September, 1780, that 
" the father of his country" was in Waterbury ; but it may have 
been in May, '81. Possibly he Avas here at both times ; for it 
is alledged that he passed through Waterbury at least twice. 
Perhaps he took our town on his way to and from Newport in 
March, 1781. On the sixteenth of that month he was in 
Hartford, on his return to the arm}^ In the summer of 1778, 
Washington lay on the Hudson River, while Sullivan was in 
Rhode Island, as already suggested. Waterbury was in the 
line of communication. 

I have thus indicated the different times when Washington 
may have found it convenient to pass through Waterbury, 
without intending, positively, to affirm that he visited the 
town more than once. 

In the latter part of June, 1781, the French army under 
Count Rochambeau, in their march from j^ewport westward 
and south to join Washington in his operations against Cornwal- 
lis in Virginia, passed through Waterbury. They are said to 
have marched in four divisions, and to have encamped, for a 
night, just over the mountain in Southington, at a place since 
called French Hill. After the surrender of Cornwallis, or in 
October, 1782, they returned by the same route, in two divis- 
ions, (probably,) in order to embark for the West Indies. An 
old inhabitant says they marched two and two, and when the 
head of the column had disappeared beyond the hill at Capt. 
George Nichols', the other extremity had not come in sight on 
West Side Hill. The Middlebury people say that, at both 
times, they encamped on Breakneck Hill, making Isaac 
Bronson's house head quarters. On one of these occasions, 
probably the last, they stayed over one day to wash, bake, &c. 
All the wells in the neighborhood were drawn dry, and the 



360 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

people, far and near, were employed, with tlieir teams, to cart 
water from Hop Brook.* 

[The following items relating to the Revolutionary period may as well perhaps 
be introduced here.] 

April, 1111. An order on Isaac Doolittle, for 625 lbs. of powder, was given to 
the selectmen of Waterbury by the council of safety. — [Hiuman's Rev. Wart 
p. 436.] 

Of the militia which the General Assembly, in May, 1719, ordered to be 
raised immediately, Waterbury was to furnish ten. 

At the October session of the same year, the Assembly resolved to raise wheat 
and rye or meslin for the army, and assigned to Waterbury, as its proportion, 
360 bushels of wheat and 200 bushels of rye or meslin. 

In 1780, Abner Johnson, apothecai'y, asked of the Legislature liberty to trans- 
port to Boston one ton of wheat flour and three barrels of pork, which he wished 
to exchange for medicine that could not be otherwise obtained. The request w-as 
not granted. [In order to increase the supply at home, the carrying of provis- 
ions out of the State was forbidden by law.] 

State of Connecticut to Watertown Select Men, Dr. 

To sundry provisions, &c., furnished the men under the command of Lieut.- 
Col. Richards ordered for the relief of West Point, viz : 

£ s. d. 

To 707 lbs. wheat flour, @ 3d 8 16 9 

To 514 lbs. salt pork, @ Is 25 14 

To 1 pork barrel 7 

To 2 large flour barrels 10 

35 7 9 

To commission, @ 5 p. c 1 15 4 

To 2 men and horses to bring tents, &c., from Waterbury 4 

To 2 teams, 4 cattle each, to transport the above provisions, tents, 

&c., to Ridgefield, being forty miles @ 2s. 6d. per mile each .. 10 4 

Lawful money £47 7 
— [Revolutionary Papers, Vol. XVII.] 

The names of forty-six soldiers who had been in the army previous to Jan. 1, 
1780, are given, [Revolutionary Papers, Vol. XXX,] whose families received supplies 
from the town. 

The names of twenty-one persons are mentioned whose families received supplies 
in 1780. Eleven of them were of Watertown, (which included Northbury till 1795.) 

In May, 1781, Watertown was called on for twelve men for Horse Neck. 

In the same year, the names of ten soldiers are given whose families received 
supplies from the town, five of whom were of Watei'town. 

Feb. 21, 1781. Whereas the officers and soldiers employed in the defense of 

* Manuscript letter from Dea. Leonard Bronson. 

Cothren seems to have fallen into error in supposing that La Fayette commanded the French 
army. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 361 

this and the IJnited States have suffered much by want of the article of sauce, so 
necessary for their health and comfort, which inconvenience cannot be remedied 
except by the exertions of the people : 

Therefore resolved [by the Assembly] That it be recommended to the inhabit- 
ants of the several towns in this State, that they remember their brethren in the 
field, and endeavor the next season to raise a quantity of peas and beans, suffi- 
cient to supply the officers and soldiers in public service belonging to this State, 
for which they shall receive a generous reward. 

And the several printers in this State are requested to publish this resolve. — 
[Connecticut Courant, March 27, 1781.] 

Jan. 1782, Waterbury was ordered to provide four footmen and one horseman 
for the continental army, and Watertown five footmen and one horseman. 

1782. The following persons were returned as deserters by Col. Elisha Shel- 
don, viz : Richard Lawrence of Waterbury and Jared Humaston and James Ful- 
ford of Watertown. 

April 12, 1784, the town appointed Aaron Benedict, Mr. Prichard and Samuel 
Bronson a committee "to examine three five pound notes given by Ozias Cyrus 
and Zibe Norton to the treasurer for a fine for not performing a tower of duty 
when draughted, and to settle with them and the treasurer." 

At the same meeting, the town directed "the selectmen to dispose of the 
pots, tents, camp equipage, &c., belonging to the town." 

Sept. 25, 1783, the town chose Messrs. Aaron Benedict, Andrew Culver, Capt. 
Samuel Upson and Capt. John Welton delegates to a convention to be held at 
Middletown the 30th of September, then instant, " to obtain a redress of grievan- 
ces on account of the commutation of five years half pay granted to the officers of 
the continental army in lieu of half pay for life." 



CIIAPTEE XXIL 



AFTER THE WAR : MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 

The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, in Oct. 17S1, 
virtually closed the war ; but peace was not finally proclaimed 
till April, 1783. The country came out of the conflict thor- 
oughly exhausted. Waterbury was ])oorer than ever. During 
the struggle, Westbury and I^orthbury, its richest portions, 
had been made into a new town. The poverty of her agricul- 
ture promised a slow and uncertain recovery. Old people tell, 



362 HISTOEY OF WATEKBURY. 

or used to tell, a sad tale of those days. In 1774, tlie population 
of the whole town was 3,526 and its grand list £39,826, 18s. 
In 1779, the grand lists of the different societies stood, accord- 
ing to my notes taken from the State papers in Hartford, as 
follows, viz: Waterbmy, £12,181, 17s., 6d. ; Westbnry, 
£13,427, 10s. 9d. ; Northbury, £10,070, 15s. lOd. ; Farming- 
bnry, £2,862, 12s. 6d. ; Salem, £5,657, 12s. 3d. Total, 
£44,200, 8s. lOd. 

This last sum, in consequence, perhaps, of abatements not 
being deducted and the whole of Farmingbury being included, 
exceeds very considerably the amount regularly returned for 
the entire town in that year, which is £38,504, 18s. 9|^d. 

In 1790, the population of "Waterbury was 2,937 and of 
Watertown 3,170, in the whole 6,107; an increase of 73 per 
cent, since 1774, the greatest part of it probably in Water- 
town. The grand list of Waterbury, in this year, stood as fol- 
lows, viz : first society, £12,093, 12s. lOd. ; Farmingbury, 
£2,401, 3s. 9d. ; Salem, £5,302, 3s. 6d. Total, £19,797, ol 
Id., about the same as in 1782, but £3,000 more than in 1788. 

In 1800 the population of Waterbury had risen to 3,256, 
notwithstanding several hundred people had been lost when 
Wolcott and Oxford were incorporated. Watertown contain- 
ed, at this time, 1,615 souls and Plymouth 1,791 ; together, 
3,406. The three towns numbered 6,662, to which an impor- 
tant addition should be made of those set off with Wolcott and 
Oxford. There must have been, in 180 
original Waterbury, over 7,000 persons. 

There is to be found among the papers in the tow'n clerk's 
office a series of taxable lists of the first society of Waterbury 
and of Salem society, commencing in 1782, from which much 
instruction may be gathered. I will give some extracts from 
the list of the first society, (which then included present Wa- 
terbury and those parts of Middlebury and Prospect which 
belonged to the old town,) bearing date Aug. 20, 1783, the 
first year after the peace. Here is the summary of polls and 
estate. The items were put in at a fixed rate regulated by 
statute. 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 



363 



Polls— above 21 years, No. 189 at £18 £3,402 00s. OOd. 

" under " " 54 " 9 486 00 00 

Xeat Cattle— Oxen, " 237 " 4 948 00 00 

" Cows and 3 year olds, " 510 " 3 1,548 00 00 

" 2 year olds, " 159 " 2 318 00 00 

" 1 year olds, " 198 " 1 198 00 00 

Horses — 3 year olds and upwards, " 270 " 3 810 00 00 

2 year olds, " 14 " 2 28 00 00 

1 year olds, " 14 " 1 14 00 00 

Swine, " 363 " 1 363 00 00 

Houses,* " 135 "Price," 124 19 07 

Inclosed land — plough land, acres" 1850^ at 10s., 925 05 00 

" upland meadow 

and pasture, " " 2425|^ " 8 970 5 05| 
" lowland, " " 512^ " 7s. 6d. 192 03 09 
" bog-meadow, " " 54^ " £5 13 12 06 
" bush-pasture, " " 2933| " 2 293 07 00 
Uninclosed land— 1st rate, " " 2221^^0 " 2 222 03 09f 
" 2d " " " 3141 " 1 157 01 00 
" 3d " " " 12711 " 6d. 31 15 10^ 
Clocks, &c. — steel and brass- 
wheeled clocks, " 4 " £3 12 00 00 
" -wooden clock, " 1 " 1 1 10 00 
" -watches, " 7 " 1 10s. 10 10 00 
" riding chair, " 1 " 3 3 00 00 
" silver plate, 20 ounces and 10 pennyweights, 

[" at 6 p. c. on the just value thereof,"] 8 02 00 

Money on interest, £33 at 6 p. c. 2 00 00 

Total, £11,075 02 OlxV 
In dollars, at $3 33J to the pound, $36,917 02.f 

* " Each dwelling house in good repair [was assessed] at fifteen shillings for each fireplace 
therein," and the listers might "abate fot old and decayed houses one quarter, one half, or three 
quarters of the sum aforesaid," &c. 

t It may be interesting to compare the above figures with the following, as published in the 
-yVaterbury American : 

List of Polls and Taxable Pkopertt in the Town of Waterburt, ratable by Law on 

THE FIRST Da? of OCTOBER, 1856. 

1197 1-2 Dwelling Houses, $1,192,854 00 

14,111 3-4 Acres of Land, 880,139 00 

2S 1-4 Stores, 92,900 00 

39 Mills and Manufactories, 89,015 00 

353 Horses and Mules, 23,512 00 

1,228 Neat Cattle, 28,213 00 

Sheep, Swine and Poultry, 164 00 

Coaches, Carriages and Pleasure Wagons, 10,965 00 

Farming Utensils, 50 00 

Clocks, Watches and Jewelry, 10,733 00 

Piano Fortes, &c., 10,251 00 

Furniture and Libraries, 8,800 00 

Bank and Insurance Stock, 188,791 00 



364 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



The polls of all male persons between the ages of sixteen 
and seventy* were placed in the list, except ministers of the 
Gospel, professors and tutors of colleges, constant school-mas- 
ters, students at college, persons disabled by sickness or other 
infirmity, &c. The estates of ministers lying in their own 
society were exempted, and the polls of all the members of 
their families. In the list from Avhich the summary is taken 
there are in all, 294 names, including 10 of females, 41 of non- 
residents, and 53 of residents, whose polls are not entered. 
Add the 53 non-taxable, to the 189 £18 polls, and we have a 
total of 242 males above 21 years of age, all of whom, except 
Moses Frost, Eichard Nichols, Jr., Selden Scovill and Eben 
W. Judd, had taxable estate. The names of those who had 
the largest lists, are : 



Timothy Clark, 


£167, 


3s 


Od. 


Stephen Ives, 


£100, 


8s 


Od. 


Joseph Hopkins, 


156, 


11 


8 


George Nichols, 


98, 


9 





Wid. Abigail Gunn, 


148, 


4 


6 


David Bronson, 


98, 


6 





John Welton, 


135, 


17 


6 


Nathaniel Richardson 


96, 


4 





Seba Bronson, 


131, 


7 


6 


John Thompson, 


92, 


11 


6 


Amos Scott, 


124, 


7 





Richard Welton, 


92, 


4 





Jonathan Baldwin, 


111, 


16 


6 


Isaac Bronson, Jr., 


92, 


3 





Stephen Bronson, 


109, 


3 


3 


James Bronson, 


91, 


6 


6 


Benjamin Upson, 


106, 


8 


6 


Abraham Hotchkiss, 


90, 


19 





Aaron Benedict, 


102, 


18 


6 


Phiueas Porter, 


86, 


5 






Manufacturing Stock, $2,205,342 00 

State and other Stocks, 620 (10 

Railroad and otlier Bonds, 9,:90 00 

Amount employed in Trade and Merchandising, 140,672 00 

Amount employed in Mechanical and Manufacturing Operations, .... 111,000 00 

Investment in Vessels and Commerce, 800 00 

Money at Interest, 180,886 00 

" on Deposit, 10,480 00 

All other Taxable Property, 2,050 00 

Additions by Board of Relief, 16,617 00 

Amount, $4,664,094 00 
Deduct indebtedness, &c., 143,052 00 

$4,521,042 00 
Amount of Assessment at 8 per cent., 13.5,681 26 

1772 Polls at ten dollars each, 17,720 00 

Taxable amount for 1866, 153,351 26 

792 Military subjects at 50 cents each, 351 00 

* One of the great principles for which our fathers contended in the war which had just 

closed, was that taxation and representation should go together; and yet, they taxed minors, 

as they always had done. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 365 



Ezra Hull, 


£86, 3s 


Od. 


James Porter, Jr., 


£85, 


8s 


Od. 


Thomas Richardson, 


86, 2 


6 


Samuel Bronson, 


84, 


10 





Eli Bronson, 


86, 1 


6 


David Clark, 


79, 


12 


6 


Benjamin Hine, 


85, 19 





Phineas Castle, 


78, 


2 





Joseph Beach, Jr., 


85, 14 














Of the acres of land listed, Josepli Hopkins owned the 
greatest number, 442 standing against his name. Roger 
Prichard owned 249, Seba Bronson 240, Stephen Bronson 233, 
Jonathan Baldwin 217, Wid. Abigail Gunn 213, John Welton 
200, Timothy Chirk 196, Aaron Benedict 168, Amos Scott 163, 
Stephen Ives 163, Benj, Upson 119. Of inclosed lands, Eoger 
Prichard had 172 acres, Seba Bronson 150, Wid. Gunn 148, 
Joseph Hopkins 144, John Welton 122, Jonathan Baldwin 
114, Stephen Bronson 110, Timothy Clark 96, Aaron Bene- 
dict 88, xlmos Scott 73, Benjamin Upson 69. Of the 1st and 
2d quality of inclosed land, Joseph Hopkins had 91 acres, Seba 
Bronson 90, John Welton 81, AVid. Gunn 74, Timothy Clark 
72, Roger Prichard 60, Stephen Bronson 53^, Amos Scott 50. 
Of the 1st quality of land, Seba Bronson seems to have had 
the greatest number of acres, and the most valuable farm. He 
had 80 acres of first quality land, John Welton 40, Roger 
Prichard 34, Benjamin Upson 30, Timothy Clark 26, Joseph 
Hopkins 25. Of uninclosed land, Josepli Hopkins had 298 
acres, Lemuel Kichols had 160, Stephen Bronson 133, Ste- 
phen Ives 120, Jonathan Baldwin 103. 

!Now let us look at the luxuries which our fathers enjoyed. 
There are, in the list of which I have been speaking, four 
steel and brass clocks. These were owned by Jonathan Bald- 
win, Joseph Beach, Jr., Wid. Abigail Gunn and Jose^^h Hop- 
kins, (who was a watch-maker.) There are also seven watches, 
(silver,) and these were the property (much valued doubtless) 
of Ezra Bronson, Dr. Abel Bronson, Wid. Abigail Gunn, Jo- 
seph Hopkins, Stephen Ives, Abner Johnson and Ephraim 
Warner. The column for wooden clocks is blank except in a 
single instance. Far down, against the name of Benjamin 
Upson, the space is filled by " 1." This rare piece of mech- 
anism was originally the property of Thomas Clark, (2d.) It 
was bought by Mrs. Clark for their convenience in keeping 
tavern, as early as 1772, and cost about $20. It was made by 



366 HISTOKY OF WATEKBURY. 

Solomon Crittenden of Kent. Abraham Truck of Waterbnry 
made the case. It is thought to have been the first of its 
kind brought into Waterbury. 

Mr, Clark died, and Benjamin Upson married his widow, 
in Jan. 1781, and thus came into possession of the wooden 
clock. It is the only one that appeared on the taxable lists 
till after 1790, Its face, with the maker's name on it, is still 
in existence (or was a short time since) in the safe keeping of 
Mrs. Aurelia Clark, the daughter of Thomas Clark. 

The only wheeled vehicle of any sort in the list, is " a rid- 
ing chair," set down to the account of Ezra Bronson. I sup- 
pose it was a two wheeled carriage without a top, for a 
single person, which the owner, who Avas much engaged in 
public life, used in business. It is affirmed that Parson 
Leavenworth also had a two wheeled carriage, without a 
top, with a double seat, which, being exempted from taxation, 
does not appear in the list ; and that this was the first thing of 
the kind which was owned in AVaterbury. Bronson's " chair " 
is on the lists of 1782 and 1783, but after that disappears. The 
column for carriages is then wholly blank till after 1791 ; ex- 
cept, in one instance, (1789,) a " sulkey " is entered against the 
names of the administrators of George Nichols. 

Joseph Hopkins owned the " silver plate " which is men- 
tioned in the summary I have given. It consisted, probably, 
of silver spoons of his own manufacture. ISTo other person 
had any " plate" till after 1791. 

The person who stood highest in the town list, in the town 
of "VYaterbury, in 1782, and for several years afterwards, so 
far as I have examined, was Jobamah Gunn of Salem society. 
In 1782, he owned 418 acres of land, and stood in the list 
£191, 17s. 6d. In 1791, he had 563 acres of land, (363 of 
which were inclosed,) and stood in the list £245, 5s. 

Of the 242 names of male persons over 21 years of age 
found in the list of 1783, 82 will be identified as those of orig- 
inal families, representing less than half the old names. Sev- 
eral of them were not descendants of the first settlers. Of the 
82, there are of the names of Barnes 2, Bronson 25, Clark 2, 
Gaylord 1, Ilickox 5, Hopkins 2, Judd 4, Peek 1, Porter 11, 
Richards 1, Bichardson 2, Scott 7, Scovill 6, Upson 1, War- 
ner 7, Welton 5. 



HISTORY OF AVATERBURY. 307 

On the list of the voters of Waterbuiy, published in tlie 
Waterbuiy Anierican, Oct. 2J:, 1856, all the above names, 
with the exception of Richardson, are found, and three others 
that were borne by original families, I give the number of 
persons represented by each of these names, as they are enter- 
ed in the American's list. There are of the name of Andrews 
4, Barnes 1, Bronson 22, Carrington 1, Clark 12, Gay lord 1, 
Hickox 4, Hopkins 1, Judd 8, Peck 7, Porter 12, Richards 1, 
Scott 10, Scovill 5, Stanley 2, Upson 10, Warner 20, Welton 
20, (including in the last number live names printed Welon.) 

The adoption of the Constitution of the United States, and 
the organization of the government nnder it, in 1789, put a 
new aspect upon affairs. At that period, our existence as a 
nation, and our greatest good and prosperity as a people, began. 
The blessings of that constitution were felt in every hamlet of 
the land and have extended to the present time. JSTo sooner 
was its influence perceived than order came out of confusion. 
Discord was exchanged for harmony, uncertainty fur confi- 
dence, poverty for plenty, humiliating and confederated weak- 
ness for national streno-th. 



[Tlie followinji; miscellaneous items, being chiefly extracts from records, for 
which I have not found a fitting place, in the preceding pages, I introduce here 
by themselves.] 

Nov. 14, 1702 y® town by uoat order y* y® new books should be sold in y® 
town to ym y* will by ym at 1» 6^ in cash or half a bushill of wheat down payd 
to ye town treasurer only y® bound book to be keept for y^ town yous to be keept 
in y« hands in [of] y« justis in being ivcaa time to time. [The preceding vote 
seems to refer to certain law books, copies of the statutes, doubtless, received 
from the Assembly. There are frequent votes ordering the sale of the " law 
books."] 

Jany wary 6 1*718-19 it was agreed upon by uote to grant a rattof five pounds 
as money to be raised on the present list of estat as a town stock [or charitable 
fund] for the nesesity of the pore or disstrakted parsons to be dissposed of at the 
discrestion of the present townsmen according to law. 

of Buckshill was married in April, 1736, and his first child was born in 

September following. For his misfortune, he and his wife were summoned to 
appear before the County Court, in April, 1737, to show cause, &c. Such cases 
were very common in the courts 100 years ago. The penalty was £5 or ten 
stripes (for each offender, I suppose.) Afterwards, in cases in which married offend- 
ers pleaded guilty on trial, the courts were ordered to exact but half the penalty. 



368 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

One poor fellow, John Tattle, of New Haven, confessed 12 years after the offense. 
His confession is entered on the N. H. County Court Record, Vol. II, p. 486. 

Dec. 14, 1741, the prayers of Daniel Scott, Ebenezer Elwell and Gideon Allen for 
the abatement of their fines for killing deer were " negatived " by the town. March, 
1755, Samuel Warner was excused from paying his note for £2, 10s., given for kill- 
ing a deer. In 1765, Zera Beebe's note for £3, given for destroying a deer was or- 
dered to be given up. The town was equally lenient to Samuel Williams, in 1767. 

Jan. 1756, William Selkrigg of AVaterbury was killed by falling with a stick of 
wood which he was carrying on his shoulder. 

June, 1760, Miles Wooster and Samuel Spcrry were brought before a justice's 
court and fined each 3s. for "rude and profane behaviour between meetings in the 
meeting house on the Lord's day." 

December, 1760, the town voted to give a premium of three shillings for "kill- 
in"- or destroying any grown wild cat, and half so much for their whelps, and two 
shillings for a fox and half so much for their whelps," the selectman or men to cut 
off the right ear of such cat or fox to prevent fraud. 

In 1761, the premium on wild cats was raised to five shillings, and on their 
whelps to two and six pence. In 1763 and 1773, Is. only was paid for foxes. 

In 1765, Isaac Frazier broke into the shop of Joseph Hopkins and stole £123 
value of goldsmith's work. He was sentenced to be executed, but asked for per- 
petual imprisonment, banishment or slavery instead. The request was not granted. 

Feb. 1768. The town voted to give the French family in this town, in order to 
transport them into the northward country, not exceeding ten pounds, including 
charitable contributions, to be paid in provisions. 

At the same meeting, voted that Obadiah Scott should have liberty to live in 
this town. 

Dec. 7, 1771. Moses Paul, a Mohegan, while at the house of Mr. Clark in Beth- 
any, (then New Haven,) and under the influence of liquor, seized a flat iron 
weighing 4| lbs., (Paul said "a stick or clubb,") and while aiming, it is alledged, 
at Mr. Clark, missed him, and the blow fell upon Moses Cook of Waterbury, who 
was standing by. The wound terminated fatally Dec. 12. The Indian was tried in 
February, and sentenced to be hanged June 17 ; but the General Assembly, on pe- 
tition, postponed the execution till Sep. 17, 1772. Sampson Occum, at the request 
.of Paul, preached the funeral sermon, which was published. 

1783. Peter Gilkley was sentenced to two years imprisonment in Newgate and 
forfeiture of estate. The only evidence against him was the tools found in his 
house. He denied that he had counterfeited, though he confessed that he had in- 
tended to do so. He said that his wife and children were destitute ; that he was 
wounded in the hand, the use of which he had lost ; that he was sick and worn 
out, and asked for a remission of punishment and a restoration of his estate. He 
was discharged from prison. 

Isaac Iline was charged with being an accomplice of Gilkley and arrested, but 
for want of evidence was acquitted. 

Dec. 27, 1784, at a town meeting, a memorial was received from Isaac Bronson 
and others, asking liberty to erect a saw mill "on the Great Brook where the old 
one now standeth," (which would accommodate the neighborhood of Breakneck,) 
and to build a dam which would cause the water " to flow across the public road," 
on condition that they maintained a bridge, &c. The request was granted. 



HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 369 

1785. John Porter and Elnathan Jennings of Waterbury were apprehended 
for counterfeiting coin. They escaped twice and were rearrested and imprisoned. 
They then broke goal and fled. 

Dec. 21, 1786. Two of the five selectmen were to collect the town rate and 
provide for the poor, and " be allowed a reasonable reward ;" but the other three 
were to "have no reward for their service except for laying out highways, and a 
dinner on such days as they are employed in the service of the town." 

Dec. 8, 1788, Noah Cande asked for liberty of the town to setup a blacksmith's 
shop for his own use, " at the west end of a cider mill yard, a little east of Col. 
Baldwin's dweUing house , against the southeast corner of Col. Porter's pot-ash 
lot." 

Dec. 30, 1789. On motion of John Welton, Esq., the selectmen were instruct- 
ed to purchase a piece of ground, in the northern part of the town, for the pur- 
pose of a burying yard, if they thought proper. 

Sep. 20, 1791, Doct. Abel Bronson Capt. Isaac Bronson, and Col. Phineas 
Porter were chosen a committee to confer with Woodbury and the neighboring 
towns on the subject of a new county and to hear proposals, &c. Another com- 
mittee was appointed, April 9, 1792, "to treat with the neighboring towns east- 
ward and westward respecting a new county." 

Jan. 27, 1794. On petition of Mr. EU Bronson praying for a burying ground 
for Middlebury society, the selectmen were authorized to purchase ground for 
that purpose. 

Jan. 16, 1797, the town directed the selectmen to pay the selectmen of Wolcott 
£3, 10s. Od., lawful money, to be applied to the payment, in part, of their burying 
ground. 

April 22, 1801. The selectmen were "authorized to purchase so much land as 
they shall judge necessary for the convenience of the public to be improved as a 
burying ground on the east side of and adjoining to the present burying ground, at 
the expense of the town," and to sell so much land at the south end of the old 
yard as they judged unsuitable for the purpose of a burying ground. 

Feb. 21, 1803. The town voted to prefer a petition to the next General As- 
sembly praying said Assembly to quiet the present possession of land in the said 
ancient town of Waterbury, in the full and peaceable enjoyment of the same, so 
far as their titles may be defective in consequence of the usual custom of locat- 
ing lands within said town without a title to the common lands by deed, with 
which said surveys or locations are filled up. 

24 



APPENDIX 



I. BIOGRAPHY.* 



A]\IOS BENEDICT, 

Son of the late Aaron Benedict of Middlebury, and an elder brother 
of Aaron Benedict of Waterbury, was born July 6, 1780. He was 
graduated at Yale College in 1800 ; studied law at the Law School in 
Litchfield ; married a daughter of Capt. Stone of that place, and settled 
in Watertown, Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1807, where he soon became 
a leading member of the bar. He was the second district attorney, 
being first appointed in 1810, and again in 1813 and 1814.f The 
district then comprised the counties of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Law- 
rence. In 1816, he returned to Connecticut, visited his friends in Litch- 
field, was taken ill, and after a week's confinement, died of " a car- 
buncle on the back." He was buried in Litchfield. 

ISAAC BRONSON, 

The son of Isaac and Mary (Brocket) Bronson, was born at Break- 
neck, now Middlebury, March 10, 17G0. His father, grandfather, 
great grandfather and great, great grandfather, (the original plant- 
er,) all bore the name of Isaac, and all except the last, were eldest 
sons. 

The subject of this notice was extensively known for his intimate 
acquaintance with the principles of banking, currency and finance. His 
father was a farmer of highly respectable character, and often a mem- 
ber of the Legislature. A small farm was his chief source of revenue, 

* Several of the biographical notices in the following pages have been furnished, wholly or 
in part, by others. For those of Isaac Bronson, Reuben Holmes, Samuel L. Hopkins and Marli 
Leavenworth, I am indebted to friends who have taken a special interest in this work. 

t See Dr. Hough's History of Jefferson County. 



APPENDIX. 371 

and to support the expenses of his family required all his industry and 
economy. For this reason, neither of his sons received a collegiate 
education, but they had the best advantages which his limited means 
would atFord. There are few country places where intellectual culture 
was more highly prized than in Middlebury. The people were conside- 
rate, industrious and moral, and united their efforts to provide means 
for the 'general diffusion of knowledge among themselves. The influ- 
ence of such a community was favorable to the development of the 
talents and virtues of Mr. Bronson, and bad a salutary effect in form- 
ing his character. Few persons of regular education were more familiar 
with the history of the world, and with those branches of information 
which constitute useful and practical knowledge. 

While a youth, Mr. Bronson pursued the study of medicine with the 
late Dr. Lemuel Ilopkins of Hartford, and entered the army as a junior 
surgeon in the Revolutionary war, on the 14th of November, 1779, in 
the 2d regiment of light dragoons, commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon, 
in the Connecticut line, under the immediate command of General 
Washington. He continued constantly in the discharge, not only of 
the duties of that office, but he also acted as the senior surgeon until 
the end of the war. The senior officer was, from his age and infirmi- 
ties, unable to endure the hardships incident to the peculiar service re- 
quired of that regiment — the protection of the inhabitants of the coun- 
try lying between the outposts of the two contending armies, unprotect- 
ed by the civil or military power of either, and exposed to the perpet- 
ual incursions of the enemy. This service required the troops to be 
constantly moving, as well for the protection of the inhabitants, as to 
guard against surprise, which a stationary position of twenty-four hours 
would at all times have exposed them to. Not a single tent belonged 
to the regiment, nor had they any other covering except the occasional 
shelter which uninhabited houses and barns afforded. These privations 
of course exposed the troops to unusual hardship. The wounded, as 
well as the sick, were frequently left under the protection of flags of 
truce, attended by the surgeon only ; the New York levies being with- 
out any medical officers even in name. Mr. Bronson, though a junior 
surgeon, performed all the medical duties for several campaigns for 
all the troops attached to Sheldon's command. 

At the close of the war, Mr. Bronson abandoned the profession of 
medicine, made a voyage to India, traveled in Europe, returned 
about 1789 and married. About the year 1792, he settled with his 
family in Philadelphia ; but after two years residence in that city, remov- 
ed to New York, where he continued the business of a banker, which 



372 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

had been commenced some time before, in connection with Mr. Fowltr 
of New York and Mr, Pomeroy of Hartford. In 1796, he purchased 
the property of the late President Dvvight on Greenfield Hill, in this 
State, for a summer residence, to which place he retired during a large 
portion of each year. 

Mr. Bronson was distinguished for his great intellectual power, a 
moral courage that nothing could intimidate, untiring industry and the 
most scrupulous integrity. Upon any subject to which his attention 
was at any time directed, his views were clear and profound, and on all 
proper occasions, expressed with great frankness and freedom. 

Having closed his partnership firm, he engaged in the banking busi. 
ness in Bridgeport, Conn. He possessed the controlling influence in a 
bank in that place, and managed its afiairs for more than thirty years. 
His bank was opened on the 21st day of May, 1807, and a rule was 
established on that day of the following import. — " No paper, oftered at 
this Bank for discount, will be accepted having more than 60 days to 
run to maturity, and every note or bill discounted must be paid at ma- 
turity. No renewal or new discount will be made in substitution for or 
in aid of the payment of an existing indebtedness." There was no 
set form of by-laws enacted. This simple, searching and effective rule 
was the solitary but inflexible law for the government of the institution. 
In the outset, some of its debtors, regarding a bank in the light of a 
benevolent institution, possessing recognized and special privileges, and 
therefore bound to accommodate the public, (a heresy alike fatal to the 
country and the banks,) denounced the rule as arbitrary and unaccom- 
modating. It however was invariably enforced, and its requirements 
obeyed. It induced and compelled debtors to carry out the same con- 
servative principle in all their private transactions. Each trader con- 
ducted his business, not on borrowed bank credit, but on his own capi- 
tal, and thus brought the amount of liis transactions within his own 
means — short credits and quick returns were characteristic of the trans- 
actions of the customers of the bank. The gains of the people, the 
fruit of honest and patient industry and well considered economy, were 
not sudden and spasmodic, but sure and steady. The bank, in short, 
only cashed sales, and it was soon proved, after the bank was fairly in 
operation, that its ability to discount had no sort of connection with or 
dependence on the amount of the capital, and that the latter was of no 
use except to inspire confidence. A currency fully equal to the de- 
mands of trade was sustained, and more could not have been sustained, 
however large its capital. Its circulating notes were issued only in ex- 
change for business paper, representing commodities in transitu, and 



APPENDIX. 373 

were, as has already been observed, practically secured by a lien on 
those commodities. Once in every 60 days the whole debt due the 
bank was canceled by payment. There was no attempt by the bank 
to regulate trade or exchanges, but it was itself regulated by them. It 
was the servant of trade, not its master. Its circulation vibrated 
largely. At certain seasons, when the products of the country were 
coming forward to market, it expanded ; at others it shrunk within very 
narrow limits, as the records of the bank will show. 

The foregoing is a brief sketch of the principles of banking employ- 
ed by Mr. Bronson, and the result bears ample evidence of their sound- 
ness and safety. The bank maintained its credit and solvency through 
the war of 1812 and two financial crises, during which all the banks 
of the country suspended specie payment ; and at no time in that long 
interval, and during the severe financial difficulties that disturbed and 
embarrassed the commercial world, did its notes or obligations ever fall 
below the specie standard. 

Mr. Bronson carried out the principles which have been explained 
and exerted his influence to secure their general adoption. His courage 
and greatest, energy were put to a severe test. lie had engaged against 
hira the wealth and influence of the mercantile classes, sustained by 
most of the legal talent of the city of New York, when he, at two im- 
portant commercial crises, persisted in his efi'orts, and succeeded by 
legal proceedings, in compelling the banks of that city to contract their 
circulation, and finally to resume specie payments. His discernment in 
whatever related to political economy has seldom been equaled. He 
would foretell the eftects of a given measure upon the general system 
of trade, with all the precision of past events. The fulfillment of his 
predictions, in regard to the result of many momentous steps taken by 
the banks or the government, seemed almost to indicate the supernatu- 
ral gift of prophesy. No political bias, or regard for public opinion, 
or sinister motive connected with his own interests, ever seemed to in- 
fluence his judgment. In all his opinions and actions, he was swayed 
by truth and rectitude. Hamilton and other distinguished men con- 
nected with the federal government, in its early annals, confided in his 
talents and virtues, and often consulted him, with great deference for 
his opinions, especially in regard to financial questions. His wealth 
acquired in the pursuit of his business, was the result of his financial 
wisdom. 

His liberality was great but unostentatious, and whenever he confer- 
red a favor, he endeavored to conceal it from the world. In his own 
family, he was beloved for all that could endear a husband and father. 



374 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

For thirty years prior to his death, he devoted much attention to the 
Christian religion, and never for a moment was shaken in his clear con- 
viction of the great truths of the Bible. He lived and died with a firm 
reliance on its promises. His great age cast no shadow over his men- 
tal powers, which continued in their full force and brilliancy to the close 
of life. 

After his return from India and Europe, Mr. Bronson married Anna, 
daughter of Thomas Olcott of Stratford. By this marriage, he had 
ten children, 1. Oliver; died in infancy. 2. Maria; died in infancy. 
3. Maria; born Aug. 18, 1793, in New York city ; married, Dec. 27, 
1814, Col. James B. Murray of New York city; had seven children, 
and died Dec. 21, 1851. 4. Harriet ; born Jan. 14, 1798, in New York 
city, and died, unmarried, in November, 1835, in Switzerland. 5. Car- 
oline ; born Jan. 14, 17&8, in New York city ; married Doctor Marinus 
Willet of New York, son of Col. Marinus Willet, and died of consump- 
tion, March 1, 1853, leaving six children. 6, Oliver; born Oct. 3, 1799, 
at Greenfield, Conn. ; married Joanna Donaldson and has four children. 
7. Arthur ; born Jan. 14, 1801, in New York city ; married Anna Eliza, 
daughter of Gen. Theodorus Bailey of New York, Nov. 20, 1823; 
died of pneumonia, Nov. 19, 1844, leaving three children. 8. Frederic; 
born May 2, 1802, in New York city ; married, March 1, 1838, Charlotte 
Brinckerhoff" of New York, and has three children. 9. Mary ; born 
Aug. 2, 1806, at Greenfield; unmarried. 10. Ann; born March 25, 
1810, at Greenfield; died July 19, 1840, unmarried. 

Isaac Bronson died of a neuralgic affection of the heart, at Greenfield 
Hill, May 19, 1839. His widow died, at the same place. May 17, 1850, 
in the 86th year of her age. 

ETHEL BRONSON, 

A younger brother of Dr. Isaac Bronson, was born in that part of 
Waterbury which is now Middlebury, July 22d, 1765, and married Dec. 
30, 1787, Hepzibah, daughter of Joseph Hopkins, Esq. He became a 
prominent citizen of his native town, was a justice of the peace, and a 
member of the Legislature for six sessions. 

In May, 1804, he removed to Jeff"erson County, N. Y., and became 
the agent of his brother Isaac for the sale of lands. He went with his 
family in company with David Tyler and Josiah Tyler. The journey 
occupied three weeks, over roads barely passable with teams, and through 
uninhabited forests. The party were obliged to walk much of the dis- 
tance, to encamp in their wagons, and to subsist, in good part, on wild 



APPENDIX. 375 

game. They settled in Rutland, near Watevtown, Bronson in tlie center 
of the town. 

Ethel Bronson was one of the leading men of Jefferson County. He 
was three times elected to the Legislature, and in 1813 was judge of 
the County Court. At the time of his death, in 1825, he was president 
of the Jefferson County Bank. " He was not ambitious for public 
office ; but in those qualities that make a good citizen, a kind neighbor 
and a valued friend, he was preeminent. He was kind and liberal al- 
most to a fault ; yet public spirited, and enterprising, and possessing a 
character marked with integrity and probity. He was beloved by his 
friends, and respected by all who knew him."* 



ISAAC H. BRONSON, 

Son of Ethel Bronson, was born in Waterbury, parish of Middle- 
bur}', probably in 1802. An obituary notice, published in the New 
York Journal of Commerce, Aug. 29, 1855, says that he was born in 
Rutland, Jefferson Co., Oct. 16, 1802. At this period, his father had 
not removed from Middlebury. The American Almanac, for 1856, 
gives his age at the time of his death, in 1855, as 48. He must have 
been several years older. 

Mr. Bronson, according to the Journal of Commerce, was admitted 
to the bar in 1822. He rose rapidly to eminence, as a lawyer, in Jeffer- 
son County. He was elected to the twenty-fifth Congress, in 1836, and 
was a candidate, in 1838, for the next Congress, but was defeated. In 
the last named year, he was appointed Circuit Judge, but being in deli- 
cate health, he declined to serve, and retired to private life. 

In 1840, Mr. Bronson was appointed United States Judge for the 
Eastern District of Florida, and retained the office till 1845, when Flor- 
ida became a State. His residence during this period, and afterwards, 
while United States Judge, is set down as St. Augustine. At the first 
session of the Legislature of the new State, he was chosen unanimously 
Circuit Judge of the Eastern Circuit of Florida. Soon after, he was 
appointed United States District Judge of the State ; and a year later, 
when the State was divided, he retained the Northern District, and was 
continued in office till his decease. He died at his residence, Sunny 
Point, Palatka, (a few miles from St. Augustine,) Fla., Aug. 13, 1855. 

Mr. Bronson is described as a most able judge — a man of high moral 
principle, of liberal and patriotic views, of energj^, sagacity and busi- 

* Hough's History of Jefferson County, N. T. 



37C HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

ness capacit3\ For fifteen years liis name was identified with the hi- 
tory and prosperity of Florida. 

TILLOTSON BRONSON, D. D., 

The fourth in descent from Isaac Bronson, the original planter of Wa- 
terbury, was the sixth child and eldest son of Capt. Amos and Anna 
(Blakeslee) Bronson, and was born at a place called Jerico, on the Nany;- 
atuck River, in Northbury, Jan. 8, 1762. His father was one of the 
leading men of the Episcopal society of the place. Being a regular 
attendant at church, and living at some distance, he was accustomed, 
on Sunday morning, to provide himself as follows : — Taking a common 
brown corn bag, he would put the dinner in one end and a wooden bot- 
tle of cider in the other. Placing this across the saddle, he mounted 
the horse, took his wife behind him on a pillion, placed " Tilly," or some 
of the other children, before, and thus equipped for the day, rode to 
church. This was the common method of traveling in those days. 
Sometimes a second child would be taken in the lap of the mother. 
Occasionally, still another, it is stated, was added to the load ; but I 
know not where it could have been placed, unless in the bag to balance 
the oats which were sometimes carried. A horse fully freighted in this 
way, with provision, live stock and cider, was said to carry a " Judd 
load," after some of the Judds who were remarkable for these demon- 
strations. 

Capt. Bronson was a respectable farmer, and very naturally desired 
that his eldest son, who could be of most assistance to him, should fol- 
low his own occupation. The son acceded to the wishes of the father, and 
labored upon the farm ; but his heart and mind were somewhere else. 
Refraining wholly from amusements, it is stated that he spent all his 
leisure hours in the perusal of the few books which he could command. 
His mother encouraged him in his studies, and desired he should have 
the benefit of a public education. But the father was still averse to 
gratifying these inclinations, thinking perhaps he could ill aftbrd the ex- 
pense. But the mother persevered, and the result was Tilly, at the age 
of eighteen, was put under the care of the Rev, Mr. Trumbull of AVest- 
bury to study Latin and Greek, and prepare for college. He afterwards 
taught school in Waterbury, in order to aid in defraying the expenses 
of his education. While a member of Yale College, his mother, persever- 
ing in her purpose, made great exertions for his support. She spun, and 
wove, and carded wool. Often she rode into New Haven on horseback, 
carrying the rolls (of wool) which she had prepared, behind her, with 



APPENDIX. 6 i i 

which she paid her son's quarter bills. He assisted by keepintr school ; 
the last year of his college course, in New Milford. He graduated in 
IVSG, having for classmates, Stanley Griswold, Frederick Wolcott, John 
Kingsbury, (afterwards of Waterbury,) &c. Little is known of his 
scholarship at this time, except that he was a laborious student. Imme- 
diately after graduation, he was admitted as a candidate for holy orders.* 
He prosecuted, for a time, his theological studies under the direction of 
the Rev. Dr. Mansfield, but completed them under the immediate super- 
intendence of Bishop Seabury. By the latter, he was ordained as dea- 
con, Sept. 11, 1787, and priest, Feb. 24, 1788. 

In the first year of his ministry, Mr. Bronson officiated in the churches 
at Stratford, Vt., and Hanover, N. H. Afterwards, he went to Boston and 
supplied the place of Rev. Mr. Montague, Rector of Christ's Church, 
during a temporary absence. At a later period, he officiated in Hebron, 
Chatham and Middle Haddara, in this State. In 1795, by invitation of 
the Episcopal Convention, he opened a school in Cheshire, which was 
designed to prepare the way for the Academy in that place. In Decem- 
ber, 1797, he accepted an invitation from the Episcopal society of Wa- 
terbury, and became its first settled pastor after the completion of the 
new church. Here he labored three-fourths of the time, for which he 
received $250 per annum. The remaining fourth, he preached in Salem. 
He resided in the old "Barlow house," the house next east of Almon 
Farrel's, on Grand street. His parochial duties were discharged with 
faithfulness, ability and success. The parish prospered under his teach- 
ings, and a strong affection grew up between minister and people. He 
was wont to recur, in after life, to the period he spent in Waterbury, in 
charge of St. John's church, as the happiest and most satisfactory of his 
life. At last, however, the inadequateness of his salary, and the unwill- 
ingness or inability of his people to raise it, compelled him to seek a 
new situation. He preached his farewell sermon in June, 1806. 

From Waterbury, Mr. Bronson removed to New Haven, and became 
the editor of the Churchman's Magazine. Soon after, in the same year, 
he was appointed, by the Episcopal Convention, principal of the Acade- 
my in Cheshire, where he took up his residence. He continued, how- 
ever, in the management of the Magazine, arranging the papers, and 
furnishing much of the matter, editorially and in the way of commu- 
nications. The interesting sketch of the history of the church in Wa- 
terbury, of which I have made a liberal use on a previous occasion, ap- 

* See Rev. Dr. Beardsley's Historical Address, giving an account of the Episcopal Academy 
in Cheshire— also, the Rev. Dr. Noble's Memoir of Dr. Bronson in the Churchman's Magazine, 
Vol. V. To both of these sources, I am indebted for facts contained in this sketch. 



378 HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 

pears to have been furnished by him. After two or three years, the 
place of publication of the periodical was removed to New York, and 
Mr. Bronson's connection with it ceased. At a subsequent period, he 
once more became the editor, the work liaving, in the mean time, been 
discontinued and again revived. He was acting in this capacity when 
fatal disease overtook him. The volumes which were published under 
his supervision, are regarded as the ablest and most valuable of the 
whole, and creditable to American literature. 

About the time Mr. Bronson was appointed principal of the Acad- 
emy, he was chosen a member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts 
and Sciences. In 1813, he received from Brown University the degree 
of Doctor of Divinity. His influence in the councils of the Diocese was 
uniformly great, and for twenty years he was chosen by the Convention 
their standing committee. He held other offices of honor and responsi- 
bility, all of which his broken health compelled him to resign or de- 
cline in June, 1826. At this time, an aftecting letter was addressed by 
him to the Convention, in session at Newtown, from which the following 
is an extract. I give also some remarks by Dr. Beardsley. 

Next October will complete forty years that I have been in the ministry. Dur- 
ing the whole of which time, I have been blessed with such a measure of health 
as never to have been absent from Convention through bodily indisposition ; rarely 
from any other cause ; and never more than on three or four occasions, from the 
public service of the Church, until within a few weeks past. At this time, there 
is but one clergyman in these states, whose letters of orders, from the American 
Episcopate, are dated earlier than mine. During twenty years past, just one half 
of my clerical life, I have been honored with the confidence of the Convention in 
their choice of standing committee. It is thus full time I should wish to retire from 
, the trust. To this I am loudly admonished by increasing years, and more by a bodily 
infirmity which threatens to render me incapable of discharging the incumbent 
duty. It is therefore my earnest desire no longer to be considered as a candidate 
for any appointment in the gift of the Convention. With all proper sentiments of 
respect and gratitude for the past, I beg the acceptance of my best wishes and 
prayers for the harmony, peace and prosperity of the Church and Diocese, in 
which I have so long ministered. 

As a scholar, [says the Rev. Dr. Beardsley,] his reputation was deservedly 
high. He was profound and correct, without being brilliant or polished. His 
love of the classics increased with his years, and the glow of enthusiasm into 
which he would kindle while commenting on beautiful passages jn Homer and 
Virgil, often transported him, like Priam's zeal for fallen Troy, beyond the neces- 
sities of the occasion. But his favorite studies were mathematics and natural 
philosophy ; and to these he would devote himself for hours, unconscious of ex- 
ternal things and unmindful of his bodily comfort. [He delivered to the pupils of 
the Academy of which he had charge till the close of life] a series of lectures on 
the rise and progress of the manual arts, which, begun at an early period of his 
labors as an instructor, were perfected as the advancement of science and his own 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 379 

researches furnished materials. Detached parts of these lectures appeared in the 
Churchman's Magazine ; and so highly were they esteemed by his pupils, that the 
project was once suggested of securing the publication of the whole series. 

He wrote and published, in his magazine, several short pieces of 
poetry. One, entitled the "Retrospect," (Vol. V, p. 158,) describes the 
wild scenery which surrounded his youthful home on the Naugatuck ; 
and if it does not reach the highest standard of 6.xcellence, it is supe- 
rior to much that goes by the name of poetry. 

Dr. Bronson was not an orator. He did not study the graces of elo- 
cution. Slill, his sermons were always good. Their characteristics were 
clearness and fulness. As a teacher, he acquired a wide reputation ; 
and the Academy of which he was the head, a degree of respectability 
which had then been obtained by few similar institutions. The number 
of students ranged, for a long period, from eighty to one hundred, a 
great proportion of whom were preparing for college, or pursuing a pro- 
fessional course of theology. 

The subject of this notice was distinguished for modesty, simplicity, 
sincerity. He was mild, amiable and indulgent, and is charged with 
being lax in discipline. At the same time, he is described as inflexible 
in principle. After having suffered several months from stone in the 
bladder, he had repeated paralytic attacks, and died Sept. 6, 1826, in 
the 65 th year of his age. 

BENNET BRONSON 

Was the youngest son of Dea. Stephen Bronson, a thrifty farmer, and 
was born on the old Isaac Bronson place, Nov. 14, 1775. In childhood, 
he worked upon the farm in the summer, and attended a district school 
in the winter. In 1786, he went to the town Academy, then recently 
opened, having for a schoolmate Jeremiah Day, afterwards president of 
Yale College. From an early period, his father had intended he should 
go to college ; but at the age of twelve years he had a long course of 
sickness, from which he did not recover till after the death of his eldest 
brother, Jesse. Being now an only son, his father wanted his assistance 
on the form, but at length concluded to put him upon a course of 
study. With this object, he was sent to Cheshire, at the age of fifteen, 
to study with the Rev. John Foot, the Congregational minister, in 
whose family he resided. After six months, he returned home, and al- 
ternately labored on the farm and studied, till May, 1793. He then 
went back to Mr. Foot's, completed his preparatory studies, and entered 
Yale College. In 1797, he graduated, having for classmates, Lyman 



380 HISTOKT OF WATEEBUET. 

Beeclier, Thomas Day, Samuel A. Foot, James Murdock, Horatio Sey- 
mour, Seth P. Sta2)les, and other distinguished men. 

The first year after leaving College, Mr. Bronson spent in teaching 
school and working his fother's farm. In September, 1798, he engaged 
in a school at Derby Landing ; but before the end of the first quarter 
received the appointment of first lieutenant in the provisional army of 
the United States. He finished the quarter, and entered on the recruit- 
ing service in May, 1799. In August following, he joined his regi- 
ment at New Haven under Col. Timothy Taylor. In October, the regi- 
ment was ordered to New Jersey ; but the packet at Hurl Gate ran 
upon sunken rocks and filled. Small boats came and rescued the pas- 
sengers, who were in great peril. They were quartered in New Jersey 
with two other regiments, at a place called Scotch Plains, for the winter. 
The three (11th, 12th and 13th) were commanded by Col. Smith of 
New York. But "John Adams' war" was a short one. The army was 
disbanded by act of Congress, in 1800, and Lieut. Bronson dotted his 
epaulets and returned to Waterbury. 

The next week after his return, Mr. B. commenced the study of law 
under the Hon. Noah B. Benedict of Woodbury. In April, 1802, he 
was admitted to the bar in Litchfield County, and the next summer 
opened an office in his native town. 

In May, 1809, Mr. Bronson was appointed a justice of the peace, and 
was reappointed 'annually till 1818. In May, 1827, he was again se- 
lected for that office, and held it for three successive years. After- 
wards, he refused to serve. In May, 1812, he was made one of the as- 
sistant judges of the New Haven County Court, and was continued in 
office two years. In 1824, he became chief judge of the same court 
and held the office six years, when a change of political parties caused 
his removal. Once only, in May, 1829, he represented the town in the 
Legislature. 

In the spring of 1814, Mr. Bronson became interested, for the first 
time, in the manufacturing business. He connected himself, for one 
year, with the late Mark Leavenworth. They made, with a good profit, 
five thousand wooden clocks. In the spring of 1823, he became a lim- 
ited partner, in the company of " A. Benedict," for the manufacture of 
brass and gilt buttons. Of the $6,500 capital, he took $2,000, and his 
friends in New Haven, Nathan Smith, AVilliam Bristol and David C 
De Forest, 3,000. He besides lent the company money and supplied it, 
to a limited extent, with credit. Though not, at that time, a man of 
large means, he was better known for his pecuniary reliability than any 
man in his neighborhood. Thus the company started with a good 



APPENDIX. 381 

creJit, which, under the skillful management of the general partner, it 
ever afterwards maintained. His interest in the business, carried on un- 
der various names and organizations, continued till his decease. 

"When the Waterbury Bank was organized in 1848, Mr. B. was one 
of its most influential friends. Its stock was taken up with the under- 
standing that he was to be its chief officer. He subscribed largely him- 
self, and was the president till his death. 

From an early period, the subject of this notice was an extensive land 
owner. Indeed, farming was the only business, except his profession, to 
which he gave his personal attention. He soon discovered, or rather re- 
discovered, the superior value" of the river over the hill lands, and their 
greater susceptibility of improvement by good husbandry. While the lat- 
ter would yield say three or four per cent, on the buying price, the former 
might be readily made to pay seven or eight. He declined, therefore^ 
to till his uplands, and bought in the meadows, adding to his purchases 
from year to year, till he finally owned about one hundred acres up and 
down the Naugatuck River. These lands were near at hand and easily 
worked. Manure could be got upon them with much less expense than 
upon the uplands. His first work was to clear up the bushes which had 
been gradually extending from many points, and to fill up the holes 
with brush-wood loaded with stones. He thus removed the impediments 
to the current of water which, in flood time, had made such havoc with 
the soil. He selected the more elevated and least valuable ground^ 
covered the surface deeply with manure, plowed and planted it with 
corn, and then, in the fall, sowed it with rye and grass seed. Thus he 
obtained excellent crops of corn, rye, oats and grass, and made lands 
which were nearly worthless — which had lain neglected for a long time 
— quite valuable. Sometimes his plowed fields would get washed by 
the floods, but not often. 

Mr. Bronson's professional business, though not extensive, was respect- 
able. He was a good lawyer, sound, discriminating, and in early and 
middle life studious. He was confided in by members of the bar, and 
as a draughtsman had few superiors. He never encouraged litigation, 
and never engaged in a suit which should injure the reputation of 
an honest man. As an advocate, he always addressed himself to the 
point ; but his language did not flow easily and was not always 
accurate. His words were not as clear as his thoughts ; and yet he 
often made an able ai-gument. 

Upon the bench. Judge Bronson was thoroughly competent, dis- 
charging his duties with uprightness and ability. His naturally strong 
and discriminating mind, and his thorough acquaintance with legal 



382 HISTORY OF WATEEBUET. 

science, well fitted him for this position. No man was better proof 
against ingenious sophistry ; less likelj' to be imposed upon by refined 
legal subtleties. There doubtless have been more learned jurists ; but 
a sounder or better judge has rarely sat in the courts of this State. 
This opinion prevailed inside as well as outside the bar. Conse- 
quently, his decisions commanded respect. 

As a man, Judge Bronson was known for truth, fidelity and probity 
— for his prudence, good judgment and admirable common sense. For 
truth he had such veneration that he never indulged in the common 
luxury of exaggeration. Nor would he speak carelessly, in way of 
statement, even on unimportant matters. He did not allow himself to 
guess. So far as he knew, he would say, but would not go a step be- 
yond. No man knew better the limits of one's own knowledge. If his 
opinion was required, he would give it, cautiously, as a judgment, 
aware of the responsibility. He did not confound facts with inferences. 
Rigidly and exactly just, it is believed he never took an unfiiir advantage 
of the necessities of his fellow men, or of his own position or knowledge. If 
lie wished to buy, he was willing to give a fair price, and if he desired to sell, 
he would ask no more than the thing was honestly worth. He never cried 
down another man's goods or praised his own, in order to get a good 
bargain. With him, there was no haggling or chaffering about prices. 
What he would do, he said at the beginning, and that was the end of 
it. If a person tried to beat him down in his price, he would sometimes 
raise it, and then get what he asked. If he was cheated, he remem- 
bered it, and would have no more to do with the cheater. If a man 
tried to get an undue advantage, he considered himself at liberty to 
make him pay for it. For instance, he and another person, whom I 
shall call Mr. A., owned between them a large amount of mixed proper- 
ty. When ^they came to divide, they agreed to assort it, throw it into 
two parcels and then draw lots for the parcels. If either did not like 
his allotment, he might bid for a choice. The lot was drawn, and each 
got the parcel he desired, and the only parcel he could use. This both 
understood. After a minute's silence, Mr. A. turned to Mr. B. and 
said— " W^ell, shall you bid ?" Mr. B.— " I will think of it." Mr. A.— 
"I think I shall bid." Mr. B.— " Well, what will you give?" Mr. A. 
— "Ten dollars." Mr. B. — " I will take it, and you shall have your 
choice." Mr. A. — " When will you execute the necessary papers ?" 
Mr. B.— " Now." Mr. A. — " Well, perhaps we will put it off till to- 
morrow." The result was as had been foreseen. Mr. A. chose the 
property which had been distributed to him by lot, and paid the ten 
dollars. 



APPENDIX. 383 

Judge Bronson's opinions and judgments on common aflfjilrs, and on 
all those subjects with which his life had made him familiar, were more 
relied on, perhaps, than those of any man in the section of the State in 
which he lived. Few, for instance, could estimate with equal precision 
the powers and capacities and money value of a tract of land, with 
which he had been unacquainted. He could tell with great accuracy 
what land would produce, and on this knowledge grounded his judg- 
ment. And this accuracy was extended to all subjects to which he 
gave his attention. As appraiser, arbitrator, commissioner and referee, 
his services were much sought. 

Judge B. was hard headed, rather incredulous than the contrary, 
and was not often deceived by appearances. Those epidemic excite- 
ments which overthrow the reason and carry down the masses did not 
move him. If there was a truth at the foundation, he usually found it 
and accepted it, but could see no good from getting wild over it. 

Mr. B. always had a taste for reading. For a resident of a country 
town, he had a large law library, and a good collection of miscellaneous 
books. He was familiar with theology, history and politics. He stu- 
died thoroughly the masterly volumes of Edwards, and was conversant 
with Bellamy and Dwight. Chalmers' essay on Christianity, in the 
Edinburgh Encyclopedia, he admired ; but the later productions of that 
distinguished author were too gorgeously ornamented for his severe 
taste. As a historian and Avriter, Hume was his pattern-man. The 
style of Robertson was too much adorned. Bancroft was ambitious and 
affected ; but Prescott he liked. Few men were better acquainted with 
New England history. He read old Benjamin Trumbull, Hutchinson, 
Cotton Mather ; and was at home among the chroniclers of the Puri- 
tan faith. He was himself a Puritan, and reverenced the stern simpli- 
city, the deep piety and unswerving constancy of the fathers of that sect. 
Of the traditional and record-history of his native town — of the geneal- 
ogy of its old families — he knew far more than anybody else. His 
memory for facts, dates, numbers and statistics in general, was unsur- 
passed. He had a good mathematical mind, and would carry more figures 
in his head than anybody the writer has happened to know. He was par- 
ticularly well provided with geographical information. In fact, his read- 
ing and inquiries took a wide range. His favorite papers were the old 
Hartford Courant and the old Connecticut Journal. These he read from 
the first to the last line. After the New York Observer was established 
he took that. In politics, he was an unflinching Federalist, and did not 
live long enough to repent of it. Washington and Hamilton were his 
great men in the general government. At home, he associated himself 



38i HISTORY OF WATEKBUET. 

with such men as Nathaniel Smith, Roger Minot Shei'raan and David 
Daggett. lie thought honesty and capacity the important qualifications 
of a public officer. Demagogues and trading politicians he despised. He 
flattered nobody; never laid aside his principles for a temporary advan- 
tage ; never shaped his opinions to the company he was in. For these 
reasons, he was not popular with the masses. Nor were his manners 
calculated to ingratiate him with the multitude. Those who knew him 
well liked his plain blunt way ; but others were repelled by it. 

Judge Bronson was a friend of order. Slip-shod ways — looseness in 
business, or statement, or opinion, or faith, he could ill tolerate. lie 
liked to see everything done in an orthodox and proper manner ; or in 
other words, " according to law." Though not particularly attached to 
forms and never blinded by them, he still liked " the good old ways." 
AVhen it was proposed, thirty years ago, to warm the old meeting house 
by stoves, he opposed it. When, ten years later, in consequence of the 
new fashions having crept into the place, a general wish was expressed 
that the congregation should sit in prayer and stand during singing, he 
objected to the change mildly — saw no reason for it, and became a non- 
conformist. Thenceforth, he stood when others sat, and sat when others 
stood. At first, a few old people kept him company ; but at length, he 
was alone. He took no pride in being singular, but was not afraid to 
be so. Once, in a fit of abstraction, he stood during the reading of the 
chapter, but this did not discourage hira. He always went to " meet- 
ing," and the appearance of his bolt, upright form, near the pulpit, dur- 
ing the first prayer, will never be forgotten. He united with the church 
of which his father, grandfather and great grandfather had been dea- 
cons, in Jan. 1833. He was himself made a deacon, in 1838, which 
office he held six years and then resigned. 

In person, Judge Bronson was tall, in early life straight and athletic, 
about six feet high, with sunken eyes, shaggy eye brows, a capacious 
forehead and a swinging gait. He had a good constitution, and with 
few exceptions, enjoyed uninterrupted health. In September, 1850, he 
was taken slightly ill, first with a boil upon the knee. This was follow- 
ed by erysipelatous inflammation. His fine physical powers gradually 
gave way, and he died Dec. 11th, 1850. 

ENOS BRONSON 

Was the eldest son of Eli and Mehitable (Atwater) Bronson, and was 
born in that part of Waterbury, since called Middlebury, March 31, 
1774. He was first cousin of Isaac Bronson, the financier and banker. 
Somewhat late in life, he became connected with Yale College and 




&^z^^ 



s^i-^ 



APPEIvDIX. 3S5 

graduated with distinctioa in 1Y98. I have examined in manuscript 
what appear to have been some of his college exercises in coraposiiion. 
They evince the same clearness of diction and thought which distinguish- 
ed his writings later in life. After leaving college, he commenced the 
study of law; but in the summer of 1799, I find him in Philadelphia. 
lie taught there, for a time, the old Episcopal Academy. Conceiving the 
idea of starting a political paper, he entered into a very free and some- 
what protracted correspondence with President Dwight on the sub- 
ject. As a result, the United States Gazette of Philadelphia was estab- 
lished, and he became its editor* — a position which he occupied till his 
death. His manifesto, or declaration of principles, was published March 
5, 1801. 

Under Mr. Bronson's management, the Gazette became the leading 
newspaper of Philadelphia, and exercised a powerful influence through- 
out the country. The editor was a strong Federalist, bold and fearless 
in the expression of his opinions. Early in his career, he used to write 
to President Dwight for counsel and advice. The President, in reply, 
counseled prudence. In a letter, under date of February 26, 1801, he 
said — " I advise you to avoid exposing yourself to a prosecution. There 
is reason to believe that measures of this nature will, not reluctantly, 
be pursued ; and it will be necessary for a young writer to be more 
cautious than usual. I advise you, also, by all means, to do full justice 
to the [incoming] administration, and to commend it whenever truth 
will permit." 

The day after Mr. Jefferson's inauguration, (March 5, 1801,) Mr. 
Bronson came out with some remarks addressed to his " readers," con- 
ceived in the spirit of Dr. Dwight's recommendation. He promised 
to make no factious opposition to the new President — " Should Mr. 
Jefferson [he said] commence his administration with a view to support 
the constitution in its genuine spirit and energy, and to uphold the sys- 
tem established and pursued by Washington with so much honor to 
the country, the Federalists will join hand and heart with him and sup- 
port him against the machinations of those unprincipled demagogues 
who have already reviled and belied the character and administration 
of Washington, and are now struggling to raise themselves to wealth 
and importance upon the ruins of the government itself. " 

Mr. Bronson was an earnest Federalist and able political writer. He 
found occasion to oppose Mr. Jefferson's administration, and he did it 



* The name of the business firm was, for a time, Bronson k Cbauncey. Mr. Chauncey's name 
was not in the firm in 1S05. 

25 



386 HISTOEY OF WATERBUEY. 

with a will. He denounced the Democratic party and its leaders, in 
unmeasured terras. He was a master of irony, sarcasm and invective, 
and was not always free from personalities. About the time of the 
declaration of war against Great Britain, party spirit ran higher, per- 
haps, than has since been known in this country. In Baltimore, a riot 
occurred, and the printing office of a Federal newspaper was destroyed. 
Mr. Bronson's office was threatened with a similar fate. He received 
many anonymous letters, warning him of his danger. Some were from 
enemies threatening to serve him as some of his party in Baltimore had 
been served, if he did not desist from his abuse of the administration 
and the Democratic leaders. Others, apparently friends, counseled 
moderation and discretion. These letters, gathered into a bundle 
and inclosed in a wrapper, are now before me. On the wrapper is 
written, in the hand of the receiver, " Good Advice, or wholesome Les- 
sons on Prudence." On one occasion, the Gazette oflBce was threaten- 
ed, and a night appointed for its destruction. On that night. Dr. Chap- 
man, Charles Chauncey, Horace Binney, Dr. Bird Wilson, John B. 
Wallace, Thomas Biddle (all intimate friends of Mr. Bronson) and 
others are stated to have stood guard in and around the menaced build- 
ing, prepared to resist an attack. 

Mr. Bronson wrote with great vigor and directness, in a pure, lucid 
and simple style, wielding old Saxon with great eftoct. In reference to 
his habits of composition, Dr. Nathaniel Chapman is affirmed to have 
said that his editorials were written in his office, while he was surround- 
ed by friends engaged in political discussions, in which he would at in- 
tervals join. When the printer's devil came down for more copy, he 
would tear off the sheet on which he was writing, at the last word, sel- 
dom finding it necessary to make the smallest correction. Dr. Chap- 
man was his family physician, and told a friend that he was the only 
yankee he ever knew who never learned the value of money. 

Soon after Mr. Bronson became connected with the Gazette, the 
office issued, under his supervision, an edition of William Roscoe's Life 
of Lorenzo de Medici. One object of the undertaking was to cultivate 
in the American mind a taste for literature and history. The publica- 
tion led to a correspondence with Mr. Roscoe, and to the subsequent 
issue from the Gazette office of an edition of Leo X, by the same author. 
The correspondence, which is in my possession, is honorable to both 
parties. 

Mr. Bronson married, in Pliiladelphia, Mary White, a daughter of 
the late Bishop White, by whom he had five daughters and two sons. 
But two of them are now livinof- one the widow of the late Professor 



APPENDIX. 387 

H. Reed wlio was lost in the Arctic ; the other the Rev. William White 
Bronson, an Episcopal clergyman, now of Reading Ridge, Conn. 

The subject of this notice died April 17, 1823. Immediately after- 
wards, the following notice appeared in the Baltimore Chronicle : 

" Then burst a noble heart." It was with peculiar and painful awakening of 
old reminiscences, while turning over the Philadelphia papers of yesterday morn- 
ing, that we discovered the death of Enos Bronson announced, formerly the editor 
of the United States Gazette. Under an extreme coldness of manner, amounting 
almost to an appearance of apathy, dwelt a warm and benevolent heart, alive to 
all the tender impulses, blended with uncommon boldness and decision. His char- 
acter reminds us of those tracts of mountainous country described by geogra- 
phers, where, passing from the region of frost and snow, we discover verdure, glit- 
tering cascades, and all the forms of vernal beauty. Misfortune could make him 
wretched, but could not make him dishonest. His manner, his countenance, his 
personal appearance, are brought so forcibly to our fancy, that it requires some 
eifort to believe him now a cold, motionless, speechless corpse, slumbering be- 
neath the sods of the valley. 

DEA. JAMES BROWN 

Was a son of Stephen and Eunice (Loomis) Brown, and was born in 
Windsor, Dec. 2, 1776. He learned of his father the trade of a black- 
smith, and at the age of twenty-one, removed to Canton, where he re- 
mained one year. He then came to Waterbury and made an engage- 
ment with Lieut. Ard Welton, who manufactured fire arms in the Saw- 
mill Plain District, at the place now or recently owned by Sherman 
Bronson. After about two years, he removed into the village, where 
he labored at his trade the remainder of his life. 

Mr. Brown in early life connected himself with a military company, 
and finally became the colonel of his regiment. He was an original 
partner in the third rolling mill which was erected in Waterbury, in 
1830, afterwards known as the Brown & Elton Co., and continued in 
the connection till his decease. He was a member of the first Congre- 
gational churcli and was made a deacon in 1818. He was also a mem- 
ber of the masonic order. 

Dea. Brown was remarkable for his truth, industry and sobriety. He 
was a most exemplary man, faithful in all the relations of life. Long 
after his frugal habits and success in business had secured him a compe- 
tency, he continued to labor in his calling, believing he could thus best 
fulfill the ends of existence. He was a constant attendant upon the 
services and duties of the church, with which he was connected thirty 
years. He died in 1848. 



388 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

CALVIN BUTLER 

Was born in Wolcott, Oct. 6, 1772; removed in childhood with liis 
parents to New Marlborough, Mass. ; entered Williams College in 1795, 
but took a dismission at the end of sophomore year ; read law at Nor- 
walk with Edmund Akins and Augustus Peltibone, Esquires; was ad- 
mitted to the bar of Litchfield County in December, 1799 ; commenc- 
ed practice in North Canaan, Conn., but removed in February, 1801, to 
Bristol, and in 1806, to Plymouth; was a state representative several 
times in 1815 and afterwards ; was a member of the constitutional con- 
vention in 1818; a state senator in 1832; judge of probate from 1832 
to 1842, and a judge of the Litchfield County Court in 1839. He 
died several years since. 

REV. AARON BUTTON, 

The son (the youngest of nine children) of Thomas and Anne (Rice) 
Dutton, was born in that part of Waterbury, which is now Watertown, 
May 21, 1780. He pursued his classical studies under the direction of 
Rev. Azel Backus of Bethlem ; graduated at Yale College in 1803; was 
instructed in Theology by President Dwight ; was licensed to preach in 
Oct. 1805, and ordained Dec. 10, 1805, as pastor of the First church 
and society in Guilford. He resigned his charge June 8, 1842, mainly 
on account of a difference of opinion between himself and his people 
on slavery. He was a member of the Corporation of Yale College from 
1825 till his decease. 

A few months after his separation from his people, he went, in the 
service of the Home Missionary Society, to Iowa, (then a Territory,) 
and was invited to settle over the church and society of Burlington. 
When about to return to New England to make arrangements for a 
permanent removal to the West, he was taken sick. He reached New 
Haven with difficulty, and had a long and dangerous illness, from which 
he never completely recovered. He died in June, 1849, and was buried 
in the midst of his former people in Guilford. His wife, Dorcas, 
(daughter of Samuel Southmayd of Watertown,) to whom he was mar- 
ried in April, 1806, died in Sept. 1841. 

Mr. Dutton was an earnest, faithful and fearless man, respected 
among the churches, and true in all the relations of life. He was an 
early and consistent friend of temperance and emancipation, and was 
ready to suffer, if need be, in the discharge of what he esteemed his 
duty. He published a few sermons, and was a contributor to the old 
Christian Spectator. 



REV. MATTDEW RICE DUTTON, 

The son of Thoraas, and the grandson of Dea. Thomas Dutton, was 
born in VVatertown, (Westbury parish,) June 30, 1783. When about 
eleven years of age, his father removed to Northbury parish, and thence 
in two years more, to Northfield, in the town of Litchfield. At the age 
of seventeen, he entered the law office of Ephraim Kirby of Litchfield ; 
but in consequence of bad eyes and broken health, lie was obliged to 
abandon his studies. lie afterwards changed his plans and concluded 
to enter Yale College, where he graduated with high honor, in 1808. 
He then took charge of the Academy in Fairfield, and after a year 
joined the Theological Seminary of Andover. From 1810 to 1814, he 
was a tutor in Yale College, suftering severely all the time from weak eyes. 

Mr. Dutton was ordained pastor of the church in Stratford in the 
autum of 1814, where he remained, universally beloved, till his election 
to the professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Yale 
College, in the fall of 1821 . He accepted the appointment, and devoted 
himself with ardor to his duties. Mathematics was his favorite study. 
His constitution, always delicate, was not equal to his labors. " The 
hours of sleep were spent, apparently with great satisfaction to himself, 
in solving difficult theorems in Mathematics, or abstruse questions in 
Metaphysics. No physical machinery could have lasted long under 
such constant pressure."* His physical powers were soon prostrated, and 
he died in July, 1825. His funeral sermon was preached by Professor 
Fitch. 

Professor Dutton was married, soon after he became a pastor in Strat- 
ford, to Maria, daughter of Dr. Asa Hopkins of Hartford, by whom he 
had two sons. His widow and sons still survive. 

ALMON FARRELL. 

He was the son of Zeba Farrell of Waterbury. He learned of his 
father the trade of a mill-wright, and for many years was the leading 
mill-wright, machinist, engineer, builder and contractor, in his line, in 
the Naugatuck Valley. There is probably no man in the State who 
has superintended the construction of so many first class mills and man- 
ufacturing establishments. He was noted for the strength and perma- 
nency of his work. Monuments of his skill may be seen in Waterbury, 
Seymour, Ansonia, Birmingham, Plymouth Hollow, Wolcottville, Bris- 
tol, Westville, Pequonnock, Newtown, &c. At the time of his death, he 

* See Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit. 



390 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

had a large contract in Chicago, III. Whatever he put his hand to was 
carried through successfully; not always inexpensively, but with good 
judgment and thorough workmanship, 

Mr. Farrell was a self-taught man, whose success was owing to his 
own native genius, and whose services in building up the manufactur- 
ing interests in his native town and the Naugatuck Valley could hardly 
have been dispensed with. He died in the prime of life and the midst 
of his usefulness, May 31, 1857. 

DEA. THOMAS FENN, 

The son of Thomas Fenn, was born in Wallingford in 1735, and removed 
to Westbury in early life with his father. April 19, 1760, he married 
Abi, (or Abiah,) daughter of Richard Welton of Waterbury, by whom 
he had six sons and two daughters. He was a captain in the Revolu- 
tionary Avar, and a representative, first from Waterbury and next from 
Watertown, in all, thirty-five sessions, beginning in 1778. He was also 
a justice of the peace and a deacon of the Congregational church of 
Watertown for many years. Through a long life he was an influen- 
tial and much respected citizen. He died Aug. 1, 1818. 

EBENEZER FOOTE. 

He was the eldest son of Capt. John Foote by his second wife, Mary 
Peck. He was born in Westbury, July 6, 1773, on the farm on which 
his grandfather. Dr. Thomas Foote, first settled in 1736, which his father 
owned and which still remains in the family, being now iu the possession 
of Hubert Scovill. His father was an industrious and successful farmer, 
and died July 5, 1809, aged 66 years. His eldest sister by the same 
mother married Thomas J. Davies of Watertown, aftewards of St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., who were the parents of the first wife of the late 
William H. Scovill of Waterbury. His next younger brother, John, re- 
ceived a liberal education, was a man of brilliant parts, studied the pro- 
fession of law, which he had not health to pursue, and died at his 
father's house in 1806, aged 31. 

Ebenezer worked on the farm till he was twenty years of age, it being 
the intention of his father that he should be the farmer of the family. 
At this time, however, he changed his purpose. He desired to acquire 
an education and to enter the legal profession, his brother John, at that 
period, expecting to become a minister. His parents did not oppose his 
wishes, and after the farm work of the season was over, in the fall of 
1792, he went to Cheshire and began his classical studies under the di- 
rection of the Rev. John Foot, the Congregational minister of that town. 



APPENDIX. 391 

with a view of joining tlie sophomore or junior class of college For 
nearly two years he devoted his time to these studies, and to teaching 
school for the purpose of paying expenses. Finding it required a large 
share of his time to earn the means of support, and that a regular col- 
lege course would delay, for several years, the period of his entering the 
profession, he concluded to abandon the studies he was then pursuing, 
and to enter at once his chosen pursuit. Accordingly, he joined the 
celebrated law school in Litchfield, then under the charge of the Hon. 
Tapping Reeve, with which he was connected two years, though he was 
obliged still to devote a part of his time to school-keeping. In Decem- 
ber, 1796, he was admitted to the bar of the State of Connecticut, and 
removed to Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. In the ensuing Feb- 
ruary he sold the land which his father had given him on reaching his 
majority, and which he had reserved for an emergency, and devoted the 
proceeds to the purchase of an outfit for professional life. 

After the study of a few months, or in Nov. 1797, he was admitted 
to the Court of Common Pleas of Rensselaer County, and soon after to 
the other and higher courts of the State. " A strong constitution, a 
large and vigorous frame, a full and manly voice, a mature intellect, a 
ready and rough wit, together with uncommon self-reliance, fitted him 
for success in the profession he had chosen," and he obtained it at once. 
He early acquired the confidence of the old Republican party of his 
adopted State, and became an active and influential member of it. In 
consequence of the friendship and intimacy which existed between him 
and the late Chief Justice Spencer, the ruling spirit of the party at that 
day, his political opponents used to call him " Spencer's Foote." As 
early as 1801, Mr. Foote had acquired considerable reputation in his 
profession, and attracted the notice and obtained the friendship of Gov. 
George Clinton. So high an estimate did the Governor put on his tal- 
ents and worth, that in August of the year named he caused him to be 
appointed assistant attorney-general for the district comprehending the 
counties of Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene. The duties of this office, 
requiring high professional talents, Mr. Foote discharged for several 
years, and with entire satisfaction to the public. 

In process of time, Mr. Foote removed to Troy, the shire town of the 
county, and more advantageously situated for business than Lansing- 
burgh. Soon after his change of residence, he entered into copartner- 
ship with .John Bird, Esq., which lasted for several years. The early 
death of Mr. Bird, a gentleman of brilliant intellect and finished scholar- 
ship, dissolved it. After that, Mr. Foote pursued his profession alone for 
some time; but, finding that his extensive practice in the courts render- 



392 HISTORY OF WATEEBUET, 

ed it impossible to give the requisite attention to the attorney's business 
in the office, he formed a new connection. Thenceforth, he acted as 
counselor and advocate, his partner staying in the office performing the 
duties of attorney and solicitor. They did a large and very prosperous 
business. In 1808, however, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. 
Foote removed to Albany, the capital of the State, on account of the 
greater facilities it afforded for the practice of his profession. There he 
continued till his death, having generally a junior partner in his office. 
During this period, he took an active part in politics, and was an ardent 
and able supporter of the principles of his party. He wrote for the 
press, and his influence as a politician kept pace with his professional 
reputation. On one occasion, he was a prominent candidate for United 
States Senator, with a prospect of election ; but his friends did not suc- 
ceed in their object. 

In July, 1814, Mr. Foote attended the Circuit Court of Rensselaer 
County, held in Troy, and was engaged in several important trials. His 
temperament was ardent and the weather unusually warm. A bilious 
fever came on, perhaps as the consequence of over-exertion. He return- 
ed home, obtained medical aid, and nothing serious was apprehended 
for several days. But on the fourth or fifth day of his illness, the dis- 
ease began to assume an alarming aspect. It terminated fatally, after a 
violent and painful struggle, which his robust constitution maintained for 
hours, on the 21st of the month and twelfth day of his sickness. 

Mr. Foote was a large man, full six feet in height, with a well formed, 
muscular and manly frame and a good constitution. 

Mr. Foote had a strong and active mind, and " had he enjoyed the 
advantages of an early and thorough education, would have had few- 
equals in this country. As he was, he had no superiors in the State of 
his adoption in those contests at the bar where ready wit, strong and 
discriminating judgment, powerful reasoning and great intellectual re- 
sources were essential to success. He excelled particularly in trials be- 
fore juries. He wrote as he spoke, with vigor and wit, but without the 
elegance or polish of a finished scholar. A brief notice like the present 
will not permit a reference to any of the important causes in which he 
was engaged, nor extracts from his speeches, many of which were pub- 
lished in the newspapers and pamphlets of the day, nor even a recital of 
the many anecdotes told of him, but which show the force and brilliancy 
of his unpolished but exhaustless and spicy wit." 

Mr. Foote had a warm and generous heart, and was more ready to 
help his relations and friends than provide for himself. He was liberal 
to a fault. He contributed freely in aid of his brother, Samuel Alfred 



APPENDIX. 393 

in obtaining an education ; and though the latter afterwards repaid his 
advances with interest, they were not made with the expectation of any 
return. 

Mr. Foote's name deserves to be mentioned in connection with the 
Albany Female Academy, which has long been one of the most impor- 
tant institutions of the kind in this country. It was establis-hed in Feb- 
ruary, 1814, under the name of " Union School in Montgomery street." 
Mr. Foole started the project and obtained most of the subscriptions.* 

REV. LUTHER HART, 

The son of David and Hannah (Hudson) Hart, was born in Goshen, 
Conn., July 27, 1783. His parents were persons of worth and res[)ect- 
abiiity, and his mother a woman of a superior mind, descended from a 
family of Long Island. In childhood, he was distinguished for his fond- 
ness of books, his facility of learning and his love of music. In his 
sixteenth year, he became religious, joined the church in Torrington, 
where the family then resided, and felt a desire to enter the ministry. 
The expense, however, was an effectual barrier to his desires ; and he 
remained, contentedly, at home, and learned of his father the trade of a 
house-carpenter. In the mean time, he became familiar with the rudi- 
ments of an English education, and obtained an intimate knowledge of 
men and things — of human nature, as seen in the affairs of common life 
— of which clergymen, as a class, are lamentably deficient. His trade 
he never forgot. He continued to exercise his skill as a worker in wood 
through life — during his early and preparatory studies, for the profit, and 
at a later period, for exercise and recreation. Only a few months before 
his death, he put his house in complete repair, making several alterations 
to add to its convenience, and doing the work mostly with his own 
hands.f 

Late in 1802, or early in 1803, Mr. Hart commenced a course of 
study preparatory for college, under the direction of his pastor. Rev. 
Alexander Gillet ; and in September of the latter year, became a mem- 
ber of Yale College. He at once took a high rank as a scholar ; and 
at his graduation in 1807, received one of the highest honors of the in- 
stitution, having the appointment of orator. The succeeding year, he 
spent in Litchfield, South Farms, as teacher of the Academy, and then 
commenced his theological studies with the Rev. Dr. Porter of AVash- 

* For the materials of this slietch, I am indebted to a biographical notice in Goodwin's Gene- 
alogy of the Foote Family. 

t See a sketch of the Life and Character of the Rev. Luther Hart, in the Quarterly Christian 
Spectator for September, 1S34, which I have used freely in the preparation of this notice. 



394 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

ington, Conn. Soon after, however, he went to the seminary at Ando- 
ver, Mass., finished his preparatory course, and was of the first class of 
its graduates. A short interval passed, and he was invited to preach 
in Plymouth, where he was ordained and installed over the Congrega- 
tional church and society in September, 1810, and where he remained 
till his death. The society was somewhat distracted, at the time, in 
consequence of a difl:erence of opinion as to the merits of different can- 
didates ; but all became united and harmonious, in a short period, 
under his ministry. The year after his settlement, he married Minerva, 
the only daughter of Gen. Daniel and Martha (Ilumaston) Potter. She 
still survives. 

The following extract from the article in the Christian Spectator de- 
scribes graphically some of Mr. Hart's characteristic traits : 

Together with rich and various learning, and habits strictly intellectual, he 
had an uncommon measure of native sagacity — a kind of intuitive discernment of 
character — and quick sense of propriety. He had also a lovely temper and a 
warm and generous heart. He called himself impetuous — he was really ardent — 
yet his self-government, for aught that appeared, was uniform and complete. The 
quality, however, which, more than almost any other, was prominent in him, and 
will most readily suggest itself to his acquaintances, with the mention of his name, 
was his sprightliness of fancy, his aptness for pleasant and humorous associations, 
and delicately keen and pithy satire. At the same time, he was not found in this 
respect, either transgressing the law of kindness, or sinking the dignity of the 
Christian or ministerial character. One would be often struck with the rapid and 
easy manner in which he would glide away from the happiest sallies of pleasant- 
ry into the most serious and tender strain of religious remark. There was often, 
too, a meaning in his tones and modulations of voice, in the cast of his eye, and 
the entire expression of his countenance, which words could not convey. In 
general it may be said of him, that his good sense, his pleasant wit, his fund of 
knowledge, his openness and benignity of heart, and his unaffected and consistent 
piety, made him a most engaging friend and companion, and his house an ever- 
•loved, as it was an ever-welcome resort. One who was his companion in youth, 
and more intimately conversant with him in professional hfe than almost any 
other, has said of him — " I always found it impossible to be long with him, with- 
out feeling myself to be in the presence of a great and good man ; and yet with 
his friends, as is well known, he often manifested the playfulness and simplicity of 
a child." 

Mr. Hart was an interesting and able preacher. Few in the part of 
the State in which he lived were so generally acceptable. The writer well 
remembers the lively pleasure with which his presence used to be greet- 
ed in the pulpit of his own parish, thirty -five years ago. He would fix the 
attention of all classes — a certain evidence of talent — and would utter 
sentences which penetrated the mind and burned in the heart. At the 



APPENDIX. 



395 



same time, he was dignified and decorous, resorting to no stratagems, 
practicing no deception. His sermons were thoroughly studied, but in 
the hitter part of his life, not written at length. They were original 
in thought, compact and clear in argument, nervous in expression and 
simple in language. 

In conversation, Mr. Hart was lively, easy and familiar, with an 
abundant flow of spirits, putting those in his company in the same frame 
of mind. His sallies of wit, his pleasantries, his piquancy and original- 
ity, his homely and often quaint expressions, combined with his 
artlessness and kindness of manner, made his society exceedingly 
agreeable. 

In the year 1818, Mr. Hart was associated with Dr. Tyler, Dr. Tay- 
lor, Professor Goodrich and one or two others, as a committee for the 
publication of certain doctrinal tracts. He wrote the third of the series, 
a tract of forty-three pages, entitled, " Plain Reasons for relying on 
Presbyterian Ordination," in a letter to a friend, of which one compe- 
tent to judge, remarks — " We doubt whether the language aff'ords a 
better manual for common Christians, on this much agitated subject." 
This enterprise led, in another year, to the establishment of the Christ- 
ian Spectator, to some of the early volumes of which he was an import- 
ant contributor. When this periodical, a few years later, became the 
Quarterly Christian Spectator, he continued his connection with it, and 
furnished for it several able and interesting articles. For the June num- 
ber of 1830, he prepared the " Review on the Early history of the Con- 
gregational Churches in New'England." In the next number, appeared 
his review of Bellamy, entitled "Review of True Religion Delineated." 
In June, 1833, he furnished the paper called "View of the Religious 
Declension in New England during the latter half of the Eighteentli 
Century ;" and in September of the same year, the article on the " Char- 
acter and Writings of Dr. Strong." These four articles, making over 
one hundred pages, are consecutive portions of a complete history of 
the religious declensions and revivals in New England during the eight- 
eenth century, and present, it has been said, a more clear and authentic, 
and more comprehensive and complete account than is to be found else- 
where in the same compass. The whole was the result of a very 
laborious and thorough investigation. 

Mr. Hart was a Fellow of Yale College, and died, leaving no child- 
ren, April 25, 1834. His funeral was attended, on the 28th, "amidst 
the bursting grief of a large concourse of ministers, and other friends, 
from the adjoining towns, together with the bereav^ed church and people 
of bis charge. Few persons have ever witnessed a more deep and gen- 



396 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

eral expression of sorrow, than was manifested by that people when, 
for the last time, they hung upon those lips that were to speak no 
more." 

DAVID HOADLEY 

AVas the second son of Lemuel and Urania (Mallory) Hoadley, and was 
born in Waterbury (old society) April 29, 1774. He learned the trade 
of house-carpenter, and soon became distinguished as a builder. He was 
employed upon the Congregational meeting house, in 1795, and erected 
the dwelling of the late Judge Kingsbury. He afterwards constructed 
a Congregational house in Milford. The reputation he thus obtained 
was the occasion of his being invited to superintend the construction of 
the North Congregational church in New Haven, to which place he 
removed with his family, in 1814. He afterwards erected the " Don 
DeForest " house on the corner of Elm and Church streets, in New 
Haven, and the house next adjoining on the west, then owned by Hon. 
Nathan Smith. He also built the Tontine, so called, and a large man- 
sion house in Middletown, owned by Samuel Russel, Esq. 

As a self taught architect, Mr. Hoadley had few superiors. He broke 
down, however, while still in the vigor of manhood, and returned to 
Waterbury late in life to spend the remnant of his days. He had a 
sound judgment, a well balanced mind, a generous and honest heart, 
and died about 1840. His remains were deposited in the old burying 
yard, over which a monument was erected, on which there is only the 
brief inscription " Hoadley." His widow,' Rachel Hoadley, died at the 
house of her son-inlaw, John C. Palmer, in Hartford, April 12, 1857, 
aged 77. 

CAPT. REUBEN HOLMES, 

Son of Israel and Sarah (Judd) Holmes, was born at Waterbury, Feb. 
11th, 1798. While a boy he was distinguished for great activity of 
body and mind. Few of his youthful companions were able to com- 
pete with him, either in his studies or in boyish and athletic sports. He 
entered the Military Academy at West Point, in June, 1819. He sus- 
tained a very high standing there, never having been numbered lower 
than fourth on the merit roll of his class at its annual examinations. 
He was assistant professor of Drawing one year, and of Mathematics 
one year, while at the Academy; and when he graduated in June, 1823, 
he delivered the valedictory address. He was immediately commis- 
sioned as second lieut. in the 6th infantry U. S. army, and ordered to 



APPENDIX. 397 

join his regiment, then stationed at Council Bluffs. The route lay through 
the lakes to Green Bay ; thence up the Fox River, and down the Wis- 
consin to the Mississippi River, thence across the country, then a 
wilderness, to Council Bluffs. On the Fox River, the Indians were some- 
what troublesome. One night, after the party had camped, the Indians 
gathered in large numbers about them and commenced the war dance. 
The men were terribly frightened, expecting a bloody skirmish, if nol a 
general massacre; but Holmes, taking a sergeant and file of men, start- 
ed for their camp. He left the men a short distance in the rear, out of 
sight, with orders to come up if any difficulty ensued, and then pro- 
ceeded to the chief and demanded the reason of their dancing the war 
dance. The chief answered in a insolent strain, when Holmes caught 
the chiefs rifle and tried to discliarge it. The savage seized him, but 
Holmes discharged the rifle, and after a short scuffle, tied the savage's 
hands behind him, and returned to his men with his prisoner. The 
cowardly soldiers had not dared to show themselves. The Indians 
were then informed that any hostile demonstration would be followed 
by the immediate death of their chief. There was no more trouble 
from the Indians on this route. When crossing the country from the 
Mississippi to the Missouri River, the party lost the trail, wandered 
about until out of provisions, and were compelled to eat their dogs. 
After enduring all the hardships incident to such a situation, they finally 
reached the fort at Council Bluffs. 

Lieut. Holmes was stationed at Council Bluffs for four years. Mean- 
time the Indians on the Yellow Stone were threatening hostilities, and 
Gen. Atkinson with a body of troops was sent up the river to quiet 
them. On this trip, Holmes was attached to the corps of topographical 
engineers, with the command of the artillery. Having encountered a 
large body of hostile Indians, Holmes with three others was detached to 
hold a talk with them. At first unarmed Indians met them in council, but 
soon armed Indians gathered around, and those unarmed began to drop 
off and returned with their arms, until they were surrounded by four 
or five hundred well armed savages. The General now learning their 
situation immediately beat to arms. This made their situation much 
more critical ; ps they must either disobey the order of their general 
and run the risk of a massacre where they were, or proceed through a 
gang of armed hostile savages with no means of defending themselves 
if attacked. Holmes decided the dilemma instantly ; and in obedience 
to orders, deliberately arose and walked out of the Council ring, not 
a savage laying a hand on him. He immediately headed his artillery, 
but Gen. Atkinson gave orders for no firing, and after a long parley. 



398 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

finally concluded a treaty with them, thus consummating the object of 
the trip without bloodshed. 

On returning to Council Blufis, Holmes was transferred to the com- 
missary department, where he remained until the Black Hawk war broke 
out, in 1852, when he obtained leave of absence and went up the Missis- 
sippi River with the troops as a volunteer. Soon after his arrival in the 
enemy's country, he was elected and served as colonel of a regiment 
of Illinois volunteers. He was subsequently appointed one of Gen. 
Dodge's aids, by whom he was spoken of in the highest terras. Gen. 
Dodge sent him down the river for supplies for the army, and on his 
return on the steamboat Warrior, forty miles above Prairie Du Chien, 
the party fell in with the savages, with whom they had a severe con- 
flict. Holmes was the senior officer, but the troops were under the 
immediate command of Lieut. Kingsbury. Their little force, consisting 
of fifteen soldiers, six volunteers, three passengers, two discharged sol- 
diers and the crew of the steamboat, had to contend with at least three 
hundred Indians. After the Indians had bad twenty-five killed and 
more than fifty wounded, they retreated. The battle lasted two hours. 
Gen. Atkinson, in his official despatcli to Gen. Scott, made honorable 
mention of Holmes for his conduct in the aft'air. 

On Ids return from this expedition. Holmes was immediately promo- 
ted to a captaincy in tbe dragoon service, when he went to Louisville, 
opened a recruiting office, and raised a company of dragoons. 
While in Louisville, he was attacked with cholera, but after a partial 
recovery, he took his company to Jeff'erson Barracks, ten miles from St. 
Louis. Here he had a relapse, and died Nov. 4th, 1833. 

Capt. Holmes was a man of undoubted genius ; bold, enterprising and 
chivalrously brave. Had he lived, he would have acquired a brilliant 
reputation. He was buiied in St. Louis, "and there awaits the last 
review." A monument was erected by his "companions in arras." 

REV. SAMUEL HOPKINS 

Was the fifth son of John Hopkins, the miller, and was born in 1693. 
He was graduated at Yale College, in I7l8, and was ordained at West 
Springfield, Mass., June 1, 1720, being the second minister of that 
town. His wife was Esther Edwards, a sister of President Edwards, a 
woman of superior intellect and great moral excellence, whom he 
married, June 28, 172Y, and by whom he had four children. One of 
these was Dr. Samuel Hopkins, a distinguished clergyman, who was the 
minister of Hadley from 1*755 to 1811. A daughter, Hannah, married 



APPENDIX. 399 

Jan. 10, l7o9, John Wortbington, LL. D., an eminent lawyer of 
Springfield. Their daughter married Fisher Ames, the orator and 
statesman. 

Mr. Hopkins is spoken of as a prudent, benevolent, devout man and 
faithful minister. Dr. Sprague says of liim, in his Annals of the 
American Pulpit, " I have read Mr. Hopkins' diary, as well as a number 
of Ills manuscript sermons ; and have conversed with several persons 
"whose early years were spent under his ministry ; and from all I have 
been able to gather, I conclude he must have been a man of excellent 
judgment; of fine moral qualities; an evangelical and instructive, but 
not very popular preacher ; a faithful pastor ; and held in high estima- 
tion by his brethren in the ministry, and by the community at large." 
He must have been an industrious man, for it is said he wrote 1500 
sermons. In 1753, he published a small, but interesting and valuable 
book, entitle*;! " Historical Memoirs relating to the Housatunnuk Indi- 
ans ; or an account of the methods used for the propagation of the 
Gospel among that heathenish tribe under the ministry of the Rev. John 
Sergeant," &c., &c. These Indians were Mohegans, and resided in the 
Housatonic Valley, chiefly at Stockbridge. 

SAMUEL HOPKINS, D. D. 

Was the eldest son of Timothy and Mary (Judd) Hopkins, and was born 
on the old Hopkins' place, Sept. 17, 1721. Coming of good stock on both 
sides, it behooved him to give a good account of himself. He did not dis- 
appoint expectation. In his Autobiography, he congratulated himself for 
having been born of Christian parents and that his ancestors, on both 
sides, had " been professors of religion, without interruption, during the 
course of two hundred years or more ; and many of them, if not all, 
real Christians.^'' At the time of his birth, his father determined to give 
him a public education, and to make a minister or Sabbath-day man of 
him, he being born on the Sabbath. Of himself, in childhood, he re- 
marks in his Autobiography : 

I have considered it a great favor of God that I was born and educated in a 
religious family, and among a people in a country town, where a regard to reli- 
gion and morality was common and prevalent, and the education of children and 
youth was generally practiced in such a degree that young people were generally 
orderly in their behavior, and abstained from those open vices which were then 
too common in seaport and populous places. I do not recolleet that I ever heard 
a profane word from the children and youth with whom I was conversant, while I 
lived with my parents, which was till I was in my fifteenth year.* I from my 

* I suspect he did not associate much with the boys of the village ; or, that the hoys of that 
day were a good deal better than the generations which followed them. 



400 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

youth was not volatile and wild, but rather of a sober and steady make, and was 
not guilty of external irregularities, such as disobedience to parents, profanation ol 
the Sabbath, lying, foolish jesting, quarreling, passion and anger, or rash and 
profane words, and was disposed to be diligent and faithful in whatever business I 
was employed ; so that as I advanced in age, I gained the notice, esteem and 
respect of the neighborhood. 

At an early period of his life, young Hopkins manifested no particu- 
lar inclination for study. He worked on his father's farm, liked the oc- 
cupation, made proficiency and was contented. At the age of fourteen, 
however, his mind underwent some change. Farm work became less 
attractive, and learning more so. His father perceived this, encouraged 
him to study, and told him he might go to college. He was put under 
the care of the Rev. John Graham of Woodbury, and in September, 
1737, was examined and admitted a member of Yale College. While 
thus connected he made a public profession of religiou in Waterbury, 
and embraced the Calvinistic doctrines. He led a retired, sober and 
studious life, and had the name of being, in his own language, '' a better 
scholar than the bigger half of the members." According to President 
Stiles, he was " a good classical scholar, well versed in logic, metaphys- 
ics and ethics, and in rhetoric and oratory." In a word, "he was a man 
of splendor !" Logic was the most important college study in those 
days, and in this Hopkins particularly excelled. 

While Mr. Hopkins was a member of college, Mr. Whitfield appear- 
ed in New Haven, and in October, 1740, preached to crowded assem- 
blies. Hopkins* heard him "and was somewhat impressed," and "jus- 
tified him with those who were disposed to condemn him." The next 
spring, Gilbert Tennant, the famous itinerant, made his appearance 
and stayed about a week, preaching seventeen sermons. He was, says 
Hopkins in his Autobiography, "a remarkably plain and rousing preach- 
er," "and every person in the college appeared to be under a degree of 
awakening and conviction." Hopkins admired his preaching, thought 
him the greatest and best man he had ever seen or heard, and deter- 
mined, when he should leave college, to go and live with him wherever 
he might be found. But, on the seventeenth day of September, just be- 
fore he was to take his degree, Jonathan Edwards, of Northampton, 
(whose sister his uncle Samuel had married,) visited New Haven, and 
preached his celebrated sermon on The Trial of the Spirits. The young 
man heard it, and such was the effect upon him, that he changed his 
mind in respect to Mr. Tennant, and resolved to go and reside with Mr. 
Edwards when he should have an opportunity. 

* Autobiography. 



APPENDIX. 401 

Immediately after leaving college, Mr. Hopkins returned to his father's 
in Waterbury, gloomy and dejected in mind, and lived a recluse. 
He considered himself a sinful and lost creature, and spent many days 
in fasting and prayer. In December, (1741,) being furnished with a 
horse, he set out for Northampton, " an utter stranger," with a view to 
live with Mr, Edwards. Mrs. E., in the absence of her husband, receiv- 
ed him kindly, and encouraged hira to think he could spend the winter 
with them. Here, after a period of despondency, his views became 
clearer and more satisfactory. He pursued his theological studies, and 
after a period of four months, returned to his father's, and received, 
April 29, 1742, " a permit to go forth and preach the gospel." He 
preached a few times in Waterbury and adjacent towns, and returned 
once more to Northampton. Here, he continued his theological studies 
with Mr. Edwards, and preached for him occasionally. Sometimes, he 
officiated in neighboring pulpits, once in Westfield. He spent, this 
time, over three months with Mr. Edwards, having the benefit of the 
instructions of the greatest metaphysician of America. 

In the fall of 1742, Mr. Hopkins supplied Mr. Bellamy's pulpit, in 
Bethlera, for several sabbaths, while the latter took a "preaching tour" 
as far as Philadelphia. In December, he accepted an invitation to preach 
in Simsbury, where he continued till May, 1743. The last of May he was 
again in Northampton, where he opened a school, and at the same 
time prosecuted his studies. But in four weeks he was seized with a 
rheumatic affection, and felt compelled to change his residence. In June, 
he began, on invitation, to labor at Housatonnoc, then a parish of Sheffield, 
afterwards (1761) incorporated as a town, with the name of Great Barring- 
ton. In August, he had the fever and ague, and the pains made him 
think of the " everlasting pains." He was invited to settle, being ofl'ered £60, 
lawful money, settlement, and £35 salary, for the first year, and an annua) 
increase of £1 each year, till he received £45,* He accepted the offer in 
November, and was ordained December 28, 1743. His parish then 
contained but thirty families, several of them Dutch, and was situated on 
the frontiers of civilization — not a very inviting field, one would think, 
for the display of the kind of talent which Samuel Hopkins possessed. 

Soon after Mr. Hopkins' ordination, (1744,) a French and Indian war 
broke out, and the western frontier towns were kept in a state of almost 
perpetual alarm. He took much interest in the war, shouldered his 

* Prof. Park, in commenting on the smallness of these sums, and comparing them with what 
other ministers received, forgets that Hopkins was paid in lauful money, while Mr. Judd with 
whom the comparison is made, and who received £130 per aunum, (to be increased annually 
£5,) was paid in old tenor [bills], a much depreciated currency. 

26 



402 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

musket and joined scouting parties, in cases of enfiergency ; and in his 
correspondence, sometimes handled severely the conduct of the govern- 
ment and the miHtary, In December, 1*744, he received the news of the 
violent illness of his mother. He started for Waterbury about noon, 
and finished his journey at bed time. His mother died next day, Dec. 
5, 1744, and was buried on the day following. After the funeral, Mr. 
Leavenworth preached a discourse on the duty of resignation to God's 
will, from 2 Kings, IV, 26. A few days later, Dec. 9th, a "young 
brother," aged three weeks, died. Four years afterwards the father was 
taken ill, and the son was again summoned to his house to witness the 
closing scene, which happened Feb. 5, 1749. Samuel was the executor. 
Upon him devolved the care and education of his three youngest brothers, 
James, Daniel and Mark. The two first, the father had provided with 
a farm and tools of husbandry, designing they should be farmers. But 
they became discouraged, when their brother Samuel sold the farm and 
undertook to educate the three, taking them all to his house. James 
made great proficiency and entered Yale College. "He was a promis- 
ing young man, much esteemed, especially by his classmates." But be- 
fore the close of his first year, he sickened of a fever and died in New 
Haven. In three years more, two sisters, Hannah Upson and Sarah 
Clark, were removed by death. 

Mr. Hopkins continued the minister of Great Barrington, under the 
most aggravated discouragements, for many years. The Indian wars, 
the smallness and poverty of his parish, his meagre support and the op- 
position he met with, would have made almost any other man discon- 
tented. Ilis high toned Calvinism was distasteful to many. He oppos- 
ed the "half way covenant" system, and gave offense by the terms of 
church communion which he enforced. Many " unconverted " persons, 
particularly among the Dutch, wanted their children baptized ; and 
when he refused to administer the rite, an Episcopal minister was invit- 
ed to do it, and an Episcopal society was established. When the troubles 
with the mother country commenced, he espoused the cause of the 
colonists and became a warm Whig. His course was viewed with disap- 
probation by the Tories, who were numerous in the town and some- 
limes in a majority. They threatened to stop his salary, and if possiblt, 
to drive blra out of town. His church adhered to him, and adopted 
various expedients, without success, to raise his salary. At length, as 
his usefulness seemed to be at an end, they united with him in 
calling a council to decide the question of his continuance among them. 
A decision was made, and the connection which had lasted twenty-five 
years between a desponding pastor and an afflicted people was dissolved, 



APPENDIX. 403 

Jan. 18, 1V69. Long afterwards, on looking back to the distracted con- 
dition in which his parish was left — their divisions and destitution for 
many years — he feared he did wrong to leave thera. He might, he said, 
have given up study and supported himself by laboring on his farm, and 
at the same time, preached to his people, "after a sort," without com- 
pensation. Nothing better illustrates the simplicity of his character, his 
honesty and self-denying nature, than these reflections. At this dis- 
tance of time and place, it would seem obvious enough that the evils 
which Hopkins deplored were not of a sort to be removed by his Siinis- 
trations. 

Our theologian was not fortunate in his early matrimonial enterprises. 
An engagement which he formed at Northampton was broken off " with- 
out any fault of his." Another, made in Great Barrington, terminated 
in the same way, the young laJy, " rather of a belle " in the place, and 
of a bright intellect, preferring, at the critical time, another lover. This, 
he said, " was a trial, a very great trial ;" but he was, as usual, resigned. 
At length, however, he conquered adversity, and married, Jan. 13, 1748, 
Joanna, daughter of Moses Ingersoll of Great Barrington. She is de- 
scribed as delicate in her person, sprightly, intelligent, of much decision 
of character; but of a consumptive tendency and a great sufferer from 
ill health after marriage. About 1786, she was afflicted with temporary 
insanity, and died Aug. 21, 179^, aged 67. She was the mother of 
eight children, all born in Great Barrington. The eldest son was Gen- 
eral David Hopkins, an influential and wealthy man who lived near 
Baltimore, Md., and died leaving several children. The second son, 
Moses, was a magistrate and farmer in Great Barrington, eminent for 
his strength of mind and sterling virtue. He was County register, and 
died at the age of 84, having had nine children. Th<^, third, Levi, lived 
and died in Virginia, leaving six children. The fourth, Samuel, was a 
thrifty farmer, resided on the homestead in Great Barrington, and left 
three children. The fifth, Daniel, died in Maryland, in 1788, aged 24. 
The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was an accomplished lady, married Dr 
John Sibley, an eminent surgeon in the Revolutionary army, and died 
at Fayetteville, N. C, in 1790, leaving two sons. The second, was Mrs. 
Joanna Fisher of Medway, Mass., who died in 1786, leaving one daugh- 
ter. The third, Rhoda, married Capt. John Anthony of Newport, and 
died 1792, aged 2^, leaving one child. 

Mr. Hopkins' second wife was Elizabeth West, principal of a celebra- 
ted boarding school for females in Newport, a woman of rare endow- 
ments, to whom he was married, Sept. 14, 1794. She died in Taunton, 
Mass., April 9, 1814, aged 7-5. 



404 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

After Mr. Hopkins' dismission, he preaclied for a time in Canaan, 
distant twelve miles, while he spent the week days at home, preparing 
a book for publication. In the April and May which followed, (1769,) 
he officiated several sabbaths at the Old South church, Boston. Thence 
he was invited to go to Topsham, Maine, where he preached till July, and 
was requested to remain longer; but concluded to accept an invitation 
to go to Newport, R. I., where he arrived, July 21st, He preached five 
sabbaths, and by a major vote received a call to settle over the First 
Congregational church and society. He then went home to ponder 
and decide the question ; and after several weeks returned, determined 
to accept. But the people had changed their minds, owing partly to 
" a sarcastic pamphlet," which had been circulated against him, in his 
absence. A committee of the church requested him to withhold his 
answer till the opposition should subside. A meeting of the congrega- 
tion was held, and a vote was passed (thirty-six to thirty-three) that 
they did not want his services. He was again resigned, and made pre- 
parations to leave. On the 18th day of March, 1770, he preached his 
farewell discourse. This wrought a change. His enemies were subdued 
— adversity was once more conquered. " It is all wonderful," he writes 
in his journal. " The walls of Jerico are fallen down by the blowing of 
ram's horns." The congregation again met, and the call was renewed 
by an almost unanimous vote — such was the effect, under favoring cir- 
cumstances, of the simple, homely eloquence of Samuel Hopkins. He 
was installed, April 11, 1770, Dr. (afterwards President) Stiles preach- 
ing the installation sermon. His congregation then consisted of 135 
families, and his church of 70 members, 20 of them males. 

Newport, at the time of Mr. Hopkins' settlement, was, in the numbers 
of its people, the second town in New England, and more populous than 
it is now. It was a place of wealth, fashion and refinement, where the 
rough strength of Hopkins, one would suppose, could hardly make 
amends for his unattractive manner. He, however, spent several years 
there in successful and pleasant labor. It was " the sunniest period of 
his ministerial life." At length, however, the Revolution came. The 
British troops, under Gen, Clinton and Lord Percy, took possession of 
the town, in Dec. 1776. Hopkins remained till the last moment and 
then fled. He had two years before sent his family to Great Barring- 
ton, The four years which followed, he labored in Massachusetts and 
Connecticut. He spent the summer of 1777 in Newburyport, preach- 
ing to the Federal Street congregation. In the winter of 1777-8, he 
was in Canterbury, Conn.; in the spring and summer of 1778 in Stam- 



APPENDIX. 405 

ford; and afterwards till the spring of 1780, in North Stamford, then a 
missionary field. 

Mr. Hopkins returned to Newport, now a scene of desoLatiou, in the 
spring of 1780. His meeting house had been used as a barrack and 
hospital by the invaders. The pulpit and pews had been broken up, 
the windows demolished and the bell carried oS". His congregation was 
scattered. Those that were left were a mere handful and much impov- 
erished ; and yet, he resolved to remain without a hope of a salary. He 
preached first in a private house, and then in the Sabbatarian meeting 
house. Soon he received a call to settle in Middleborough, Mass., with 
the promise of a handsome support, but he declined to go. He prefer- 
red to labor in penury with his dear people. His congregation did not 
become again prosperous. He died poor. 

In 1790, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on Mr. Hop- 
kins by Brown University. On the 10th of January, 1799, lie had a 
paralytic attack of the right side, which aff'ected his speech, but did not 
seem to disturb his mental faculties. He so far recovered as to be able 
to resume his labors. His last sermon was preached Oct. IGth, 1803, 
during a revival in his congregation. After its delivery and his return 
to his dwelling, he remarked, with a wearied look, to his granddaughter, 
" Now I have done ; I can preach no more." Soon afterwards, he was 
seized with an apoplectic fit. Consciousness returned in a few hours, but 
he gradually sunk and died, December 20th, 1803. Dr. Levi Hart of 
Preston, Conn., according to a previous agreement with the deceased, 
preached the funeral sermon, which was published. 

Dr. Hopkins' first published work was in 1759. It was a pamphlet, 
and entitled — "Sin, through Divine Interposition, an advantage to the 
Universe, and yet this no Excuse for Sin or Encouragement to it; illus- 
trated and proved ; and God's Wisdom and Holiness in the Permission 
of Sin ; and that his Will herein is the same as his revealed Will, 
shown and confirmed ; in three Sermons, from Rom. Ill, 5, 6, 7, 8. 
By Samuel Hopkins, A. M., Minister of the Gospel at Sheffield." These 
sermons were reprinted in Boston in 1773, and about the same time, in 
Edinburgh, Scotland. They awakened much opposition. Some were 
so shocked at the title that they refused to read beyond it. No public 
attempt was made to refute the doctrines maintained. 

Our author's next volume was controversial, the first of that charac- 
ter, published in 1765, and entitled — "An inquiry concerning the Prom- 
ises of the Gospel ; whether any of them are made to the Exercises and 
Doings of Persons in an unregenerate state ; containing Remarks on 
two Sermons published by Dr. Mayhew, of Boston." Mr. Mills of Rip- 



406 HISTORY OF WATEEBUET. 

ton, Conn., attempted an answer to the " Inquiry," in 1*767, in reply to 
which Hopkins wrote his celebrated book of one hundred and eighty- 
four pages, octavo, entitled, "The true State and character of the Unre- 
generate, stripped of all Misrepresentation and Di?giiise : printed at 
New Haven, 1769." Mills was etiectually silenced. Afterwards Rev. 
William Hart* entered into the controversy, and Hopkins answered him 
in " Animadversions on Mr. Hart's late Dialogue ; in a letter to a Friend :" 
New London, 1770. In 1773, he published a book which he called 
" An Inquiry into the Nature of True Holiness, with an Appendix, Con- 
taining an Answer to the Rev. William Hart's Remarks," &c. 

Dr. Hopkins published several other theological works ; but the most 
important of them was a system of divinity, entitled, "System of Doc- 
trines contained in Divine Revelation, explained and defended; showing 
their Consistence and Connection with each other. To which is added a 
Treatise on the Millennium." On this work, in two large octavo volumes, 
the author spent more than ten years. He was seventy-two years old 
when it was published. It is regarded as one of the ablest treatises in 
the language. 

Besides his theological works. Dr. Hopkins published a memoir of his 
friend and instructor, Jonathan Edwards. He also, at the request of 
the family, prepared himself by six years study of the manuscripts to 
edit Edwards' works. He succeeded in getting through the press one 
small volume containing the two dissertations "Concerning the End for 
which God created the World," and the " Nature of True Virtue," with 
a preface by the editor. The enterprise was then abandoned for the want 
of encouragement. 

Dr. Hopkins was an active and practical philanthropist. He was one 
of the earliest opposers of the African slave trade and of African slave- 
ry, in this country. He devoted himself to the work of elevating the 
black race with unwearied devotion, and continued his efforts till the 
infirmities of age obliged him to desist. They who had been the objects 
of his solicitude, testified their gratitude by attending his funeral in 
large numbers. 

Edwards, Hopkins and Bellamy — the New England triumvirate — were 
the great theologians of their day and country. They represented Ameri- 
can Calvinism. If Hopkins was not the greatest, he certainly was not the 
least of the three. For close reasoning and sturdy strength, for deep views 
and keen analysis, he had few superiors. He was a bold, adroit man, 
who, with masterly logic, pursued investigations to their results. He 

* Mr. Hart is stated to have been the first who applied the term Hopkinsian or Hopkintonian, 
to Mr. Hopkins' Theology, 



APPENDIX. 



407 



was an unflinching Calvinist. He has been called hyper- Calvinistic, be- 
cause he was more consistent and more fearless than some of his class. 
He was not afraid to carry principles out and encounter the consequences. 
If two distinct trains of consecutive thought, in which he could see 
no logical defects, came in conflict and threatened mutual annihilation, 
he was not aff"righted. He reviewed the arguments, examined critically 
each link in the chain, and if he could see no imperfection — no want of 
logical sequence — he adopted the conclusions and stated them boldly. 
With consequences and seeming contradictions, he conceived he had 
nothing to do. The Calvinistic doctrine of divine sovereignty, he be- 
lieved in its fullest extent. He adopted it as a metaphysical principle, 
and put it into his logic mill. Whatever came out was truth. It did 
not avail to tell him he destroyed human liberty. He affirmed the free- 
dom of the will on different grounds, and left others to reconcile the 
conflicting dogmas. 

Dr. Hopkins did not trim his words. He was not skilled in the xise 
of oily phrases. He had a direct way of stating his conclusions. The 
truth he liked to present naked, even though repulsive in its features. 
His honesty would not permit him to use ornament. Hence, he was 
accounted blunt, severe ; his doctrines stern and harsh. His reasonings 
led him to the conclusion that a Christian ought to be willing to be 
damned, if thereby the glory of God would best be promoted ; and he 
was intrepid enough to say so. In his work on Future Punishment, he 
says of the wicked — " The smoke of their torment shall ascend up in 
the sight of the blessed for ever and ever ; and serve as a most clear 
glass, always before the eyes, to give them a constant, bright, and most 
affecting view of all these. And all this display of the divine character 
and glory will be in favor of the redeemed, and most entertaining, and 
give the highest pleasure to all who love God, and raise their happiness 
to ineff"able heights, whose felicity consists, summarily, in the knowledge 
and enjoyment of God." The sentimetit expressed in this passage is 
not new. It is a part of old fashioned Calvinism ; but the language is 
original. Nobody but Hopkins would have thought of the word " en- 
tertained." But with him, it was the word, and he dared to use it. He 
thus excited prejudices. Caricature prints were got up representing him 
as being " entertained " by the woes of the damned. Ridicule and 
obloquy he heeded not. Denunciation did not disturb him. 

Though plain spoken and uncompromising. Dr. Hopkins was an in- 
off'ensive man. He had no guile in his heart. Simple minded and aff"ec- 
tionate, his whole life was spent in self-denying labors for the good of 
others. No man had more of the milk of human kindness in him. No 
man was more unselfish in whatever he did. 



40S HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

Dr. Hopkins was a hard student of theology and metaphysics, but no 
rhetorician. He never learned the graces of style — never acquired a full 
knowledge of his mother tongue. His language was forcible, some- 
times pithy; but his words were often badly chosen, and generally 
clumsily arranged. As a preacher, he was the most uninteresting of 
men. His tones were drawling and monotonous, his voice sometimes 
resembling a cracked bell. His pronunciation was ungraceful and in- 
accurate, and his manner ungainly. The children were sometimes 
frightened by his appearance. 

In his person. Dr. Hopkins was more than six feet high, erect, with a 
large chest, broad face, capacious forehead and gigantic proportions gen- 
erally. He wore a white, full bottomed, powdered wig, a three cornered 
hat, and silver knee buckles and shoe buckles. His manner was awkward, 
but his figure was on the whole so commanding, that " strangers, pre 
suming he was a great man, would at once take off their hats when 
they met him." lu early life, he was distinguished for his agility and 
athletic feats. 

In 1853, an edition of Dr. Hopkins' works was published by the 
American Doctrinal Tract Society, in three volumes, with an interesting 
memoir by Professor Park. To this memoir and to Dr. Hopkins' auto- 
biography and works I am mainly indebted for the materials of this 
sketch. By the way, the genealogy of the Waterbury branch of the 
Hopkins family, contained in that memoir, was furnished by the author 
of this volume. 

DANIEL HOPKINS, D. D., 

A younger brother of the preceding, was born Oct. 16, 1*734. He pur- 
sued his preparatory studies with his brother Samuel, and entered Yale 
College in 1754. During his college course, he was much distinguished 
as a scholar, and graduated in 1*758 with the highest honors of his 
class. His theological studies were pursued under the direction of his 
brother, whose distinctive views he adopted and afterwards earnestly 
inculcated. He was licensed to preach by the New Haven Association. 

Soon after receiving his license, he went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, be- 
ing recommended to a vacant parish there by President Clap of Yale 
College. He preached with acceptance till his health broke down, 
when he was obliged to intermit his ministerial duties for eight years, 
during which time he was occupied in traveling and manual labor, 
preaching occasionally when his strength allowed. 

In 1766, he was invited to preach to the Third Congregational 
society of Salem, Mass., the former pastor. Rev. John Huntington, having 



APPENDIX. 409 

recently deceased. "The doctrines he preached, and the plain, direct, 
and pungent manner in which he preached them, procured for him 
warm friends and bitter enemies. Such was the opposition avvatened 
against him, that a committee, consisting of some of the most influential 
men in the town, waited upon him at his residence, and made a formal 
and earnest request, that for the peace of the community, he would 
leave the town. With characteristic shrewdness he closed his eyes, 
smoothed down his face, and mildly said, — ' Gentlemen, I smoke my 
own tobacco.' The committee withdrew and gave him no further 
trouble."* He continued to preach for eight years before he became 
the settled pastor. During this period, he spent a portion of his time 
in the instruction of youth. Often, he preached in the neighboring- 
vacant parishes in Essex county ; and from Hamilton, received a call to 
settle in the ministry, which he declined on account of delicate health. 

Mr. Hopkins interested himself in the early struggles of the colonies 
for independence, and was chosen a member of the Provincial Congress 
in 1775. His counsels were wise and patriotic, and he is said to have 
received some peculiar marks of confidence from General Washington.! 
In 1778, "he was elected a member of the council of the Conventional 
Government," and served faithfully and honorably. 

In the mean time, a disruption took place in the Third church. The 
majority of them went over to Presbyterianism, while the Congrega- 
tional minority, recognized by an ecclesiastical council as the original 
Third church, adhered to Mr. Hopkins, Over the latter, Mr. H, was or- 
dained, Nov, 18, 1778. He continued the sole pastor till 1804, when a 
colleague was settled ; and died, after a distressing illness, Dec. 14,1814, 

The subject of this notice was married in 1771, to Susanna, daughter 
of John Saunders of Salem, by whom he had six children, four sons and 
two daughters. His widow died March 16, 1838. He published two 
sermons ; one on the death of Washington, in 1800, and one at the ded- 
ication of the New South meeting house in Salem, in 1805, The de- 
gree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Dartmouth Col- 
lege in 1809. 

Doctor Hopkins is described as a laborious and faithful minister, a dis- 
criminating and interesting preacher, who toiled in season and out of sea- 
son for the spiritual good of his flock. He had a quiet, peaceable, affec- 



* Spragrue's Annals of the American Pulpit — sketch by Brown Emerson, D. D.- 
in those days generally raised their own tobacco, 
t Prof. Park's Jlemoir of Samuel Hopkins, p. 50. 



410 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

tionate and forgiving spirit. His talents were of a liigli order. His brother 
Samuel acknowledged himself indebted to liim for some important 
views and reasonings contained in his " System of Divinity." ]Ie was 
thoroughly "Hopkinsian" in his opinions and preaching; still, he was 
not an undiscriminating follower of any man. He is said to have differed 
from his brother on "the subject of submission," but chiefly in the 
mode of explanation. 

In his social intercourse. Dr. Hopkins was distinguished by affability 
and courtesy ; in conversation by originality, good sense and pleas- 
antry. His language was simple, pure and spicy ; rich in anecdote and 
illustration; so that his company was very generally sought. "His tall 
and manly figure, surmounted by a high triangular hat, gave such dig- 
nity and grace to his movements, that no man who walked the streets 
was looked at with more respect and veneration. The remark was often 
made that, in his appearance and bearing, he strikingly resembled 
Washington." In the latter part of his life, he became much interested 
in benevolent enterprises. He was a pioneer in the cause of Home Mis- 
sions ; took an active part in the formation of the Massachusetts Mis- 
sionary Society ; assisted Dr. Spring and others in editing its magazine ; 
was a member of its Board of Trustees, and for the two last years of his 
life, notwithstanding his advanced age, performed the duties of its 
president. 

MARK HOPKINS. 

He was the youngest son of the family of Timothy Hopkins, Esq. 
The father at his death (in 1748-9) committed him to the care of his 
brother Samuel, with the charge to give him a public education, for 
which there was a sufficient estate. The brother took him to his own 
house and fitted him for college, bestowing on him the greatest care. 
After spending five years in Great Barrington, Mark entered Yale Col- 
lege, where he graduated in 1758, having for his classmates his brother 
Daniel and Silas Deane. About 1761, he commenced the practice of 
law in Great Barrington, and resided a near neighbor of his brother 
Samuel. He ros(! quickly to eminence in his profession. He gave in- 
struction to many law students, among whom was the distinguished 
Theodore Sedgwick. In 1765, he married Electa Sergeant, the daughter 
of Rev. John Sergeant, the missionary at Stockbridge. When the Rev- 
olutionary war broke out, he became distinguished as a patriot, entered 
the army and received the commission of colonel. He was taken 
sick at White Plains of a typhoid fever which prevailed there at the 
time ; and to prevent his falling into the hands of the British army 



APPENDIX. 411 

which was marching upon the place, he was borne from his sick bed in 
the arms of the soldier who attended him to a place of safety, and died, it 
is thought, in consequence of the fatigue and excitement, Oct, 26, 1776, 
aged 37,* two days before the memorable fight at While Plains. He 
was much beloved and respected, and left a family of six children, the 
eldest of whom, Archibald, became the father of President Mark Hop- 
kins and Professor Albert Hopkins, of Williams College. 

JOSEPH HOPKINS 

W^as the third son of Stephen and Susanna (Peck) Hopkins, and grand- 
son of John Hopkins, the miller. He was born in the southeast quar- 
ter, (in the limits of present Naugatuck,) June 6, 1730. His father 
was SI man of influence and a frequent representative to the General 
Court ; and the celebrated Samuel Hopkins of Newport was his first 
cousin. He learned the silversmith's trade, married, Nov. 28, 1754, 
Hepzibah, a daughter of Dea. Thomas Clark, and settled in the town 
center as a silversmith and watchmaker. He made plated knee buckles 
and shoe buckles, silver sleeve buttons and other silver and plated ware. 
A set of silver vest buttons, worn by Mr. William Garnsey of Water- 
town, (and previously by his father, Mr. Abijah Garnsey,) made ninety 
years before by Mr. Hopkins, was lately shown to the editor of the Water- 
bury American. They are described in that paper. 

Mr. Hopkins was appointed town treasurer in 1758, and held the 
oflBce six successive years. In 1762, he was made a justice of the peace, 
and was continued in office till 1776. In the spring of 1764, he was 
chosen a representative to the General Assembly, and from that period 
till 1796, was reelected forty-four times, or for nearly two thirds of the 
sessions. He was an active and earnest patriot during the war of the 
Revolution, and for most of the time was a respected member of the 
lower house. In consequence, probably, of his knowledge of metals, he 
was put at the head of a committee, in 1775, to visit the lead mines of 
New Canaan, and examine the quality of the ore, the state of the 
mines, &c. In 1776, he was selected for a similar service, the com- 
mittee being charged to search for lead mines. (Great, at that time, 
was the dearth of lead.) He was one of those appointed, in 17 77, to 
sign the small bills for currency. 

In the year 1777, Mr. Hopkins was appointed one of the "justices of 
the quorum," which post he held till his decease. When the Probate 
District of Waterbury was established, in 1779, he was made its first 

* Manuscript letter of President Hopkins of Williams College. 



412 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKT. 

judge, and was continued in office during his life. He was also a dea- 
con of the church, to which office he was chosen, probably, about 17 SO, 
though there are no known records in existence which inform us of the 
exact date. He was a man of affable manners, of good intellect and 
kind heart. By a mild, conciliating and persuasive way, he sometimes 
subdued hard-headed men when arguments were of no avail. For more 
than thirty years before his death, he was more widely and advantage- 
ously known than any other man of the town. 

So numerous were Mr. Uopkins' public engagements, that he gave up 
his trade many years before his death. He lived in a house which 
stood a little in front of that in which Scovill M. Buckingham now re- 
sides. It was built, it is said, (and occupied for a time,) by Ebenezer 
Warner, the father of Justus, and was taken down in 1834. After Mr. 
Hopkins' death, it was occupied successively by Rev. Edward Porter and 
Rev. Luke Wood. His shop stood a little distance west, and was erect- 
ed after an older one was burnt, soon after the war. It was removed 
in 1834, when C. C. Post's house was built, and now stands on the 
west side of Willow street, south of William Brown's. It bears on the 
map the name of "J. J. B. Kingsbury." 

At the time of Mr. Hopkins' death, the following notice of him was 
published in a New Haven newspaper : 

Died in the city of New ILiven, Conn., on Friday, Murch -11, 1801, of angina 
pectoris, Joseph Hopkins, Esq., senior assistant judge of the County Court for tlie 
County of New Plaven, in the 72d year of his age. He had attended the Court 
during the session until the Tuesday before his death, when, complaining of ill 
health, he left the bench. On Saturday, the corpse was conveyed to Waterbury, 
attended by some of his family and other connections, accompanied a part of the 
way by a rspectable procession composed of the judges of the Court, the clergy, 
the gentlemen of the bar, the sheriff and other officers of the Court and citizens 
of New Haven. The procession stopped in front of the court-house, and a 
prayer well adapted to the occasion was made by the Rev. President Dwight, 
in the presence of a large collection of the inhabitants, sympathizing in 
the loss of a man endeared to them by a long course of public service. Possess- 
ing a sound mind and honest heart, he faithfully discharged to general acceptance, 
the duties of a deacon in the church of the first society of Waterbury, a justice of 
the peace, a repi-esentative in the Legislature, a judge of Probates of the District 
of Waterbury, and of assistant judge of the County Court for about 30 years. — 
From early life, he adorned his course in an exemplary manner with the professton 
and practice of Christianity. 

JESSE HOPKINS 
Was the third son of Joseph Hopkins, and was born May 20, 1*766. 
He learned his father's trade, and in his youth showed a versatility of 



APPENDIX. 413 

talent beyond his years. "At the age of seventeen, on tlie visit of Gen- 
erals Washington and La Fayette, at the residence of his falher, La 
Fayette was so pleased with the youth that he made him his aid during 
a series of military operations in that quarter. His youth prevented 
him from enlisting in the army, and his love of country from accepting 
the invitation of La Fayette to visit France."* 

He says of himself, in a volume published in 1828, entitled Patriot's 
Manual, on Revolutionary topics : " I was in childhood at the com- 
mencement of the Revolutionary war, and at its close had just arrived 
at that age which entitled me to shoulder my musket — an age alive to 
all the interesting events of the day. Being a son of a Revolutionary 
patriot who was a member of the State Legislature, I had an opportuni- 
ty of acquiring considerable political information, for many years, as 
well as inhaling that spirit of patriotism which was characteristic of the 
times." 

Mr. Hopkins set up his trade in Waterbury, using his father's shop. 
He made silver plated shoe buckles and other articles. About 1*791, he 
erected for himself the house owned and occupied by the late Bennet 
Bronson. In Dec. 1*794, he married Betsey, the daughter of Nathaniel 
Goodwin of Hartford, by whom he had two children, Betsey and Sally 
Goodwin. His wife died Feb. 4, 1799. Business, somehow, went not 
very prosperously with him. He left Waterbury, and spent five years 
in the West Indies, engaged in speculation. After his return, "he mar- 
ried his cousin, (a granddaughter of Samuel Hopkins, D. D., the cele- 
brated divine of Newport, R. I.,) who is still living in Vermont." — 
[Hough, 1854.] 

In 1805, Mr. Hopkins was appointed the agent of William Henderson 
of New York, the owner of a large tract of land in the western part of 
Jefferson County, N. Y. He removed thither and opened a land oflice. 
When the town of Henderson was organized in 1806, he was elected 
supervisor, and held the office till 1810. In 1813, he became County 
judge. He engaged largely in speculation, being sometimes fortunate 
and sometimes the contrary. " He erected a fine seat at the head of 
the bay, commanding a prospect of unrivaled beauty." At length 
he became involved in pecuniary difficulties, and in 1822, was re- 



* Hough's History of Jefferson County, N. Y. The notice from which this extract is taken 
states that Hopkins " received a liberal education." I believe he did not graduate at any col- 
lege; though he doubtless received a better education than most of the other town boys. At 
seventeen years of age, however, he was not too young to enlist into the army ; but the war had 
then (tit's) closed. Nor is it understood what military operations were carried on in or abou 
Waterbury, at any time during the war. Washington and La Fayette, it is believed, were never 
in Waterbury together. 



414 HISTOKY OF WATERBUKY. 

moved from his agency by Henderson, and his improvements taken to 
apply on his liabilities. His great energy of character sustained him 
through all his reverses, and he died at Henderson, in the seventy-first 
year of his age. 

Dr. Hough says of Mr. Hopkins, that he " often wrote poetry with 
much taste and fluency, several pieces of which still exist ; but although 
meritorious, he never allowed them to go beyond the sacred precincts 
of the family circle." He published the book already referred to — the 
Patriot's Manual — and, in 1823, a pamphlet relating to his difficulties 
with Henderson. He complained of bad usage.* 



Dr. LEMUEL HOPKINS 

Was a son of Stephen and Dorothy (Talmadge) Hopkins, and was born 
in that part of Waterbury which is now Naugatuck, June 19, 1750. 
He was the fourth in descent from John Hopkins, the miller. He 
studied medicine with Dr. Jared Potter of Wallingford, and afterwards 
with Dr. Seth Bird of Litchfield. He commenced practicing medicine 
in Litchfield, about 1776 ; but about 1784, (it is said,) removed to Hart- 
ford, where he spent the remainder of his li fe. 

Dr. Hopkins was one of the most distinguished physicians of this 
State, and had an extensive private and consultation practice. He had 
a wide reputation in chronic diseases, and particularly in pulmonary 
consumption. He possessed great originality of genius, and a happy fa- 
cility of investigating obscure maladies, and finding out their seats and 
causes. He had the greatest confidence in himself, and rarely failed to 
secure it in others. Having a just sense of the influence of the mind on 
the body, he encouraged hope and administered consolation, whilst life 
remained. He was eccentric in his ways, and ugly and uncouth in his 
appearance, and these things sometimes contributed to his success. On 
a pleasant summer's day, he was called, a perfect stranger, to visit a 
child, ill of scarlet fever. He entered the house in his usual abrupt 
manner, and found the sick room hot, the keyhole and cracks stopped, 
and the little sufferer loaded with bed clothes. He rolled his big, staring 
eyes about the room, and without uttering a word, took the child in his 
arms, and walked quiekly out of the house. The household and neigh- 
borhood followed with broom sticks. He kept them off", however, 
seated himself in a refreshing shade, ordered wine to be brought, and 

* I am much indebted, in this notice, to Dr. Hough's History of Jefferson County. In that 
work, however, there are many errors relating to Hopkins, and 'I may have copied some of 
them. 



APPENDIX. 415 

soon restored the child. In another case, he visited a female in the 
crisis of a fever, whom her friends supposed to be near her end. The 
father said, "My daughter is dying, had I not better send for the min- 
ister?" "No!" replied the doctor, "but you may call an undertaker 
and have her measured for a coffin." The father, indignant at the harsh- 
ness of the reply, remonstrated in severe language. The doctor explained, 
" My meaning is, you may as well send for the one as the other. If your 
daughter is allowed to be quiet, she will certainly recover; but if you 
disturb her, as you propose, she will, in my opinion, surely die." The 
suggestion was followed, and the patient recovered.* 

Whenever he [Dr. Hopkins] became much interested in a case, his attentions 
were unceasing ; denying all other calls he would devote his days and nights, 
often for many days in succession, to the case, and not unfrequently administer 
every dose of medicine with his own hand. In one case, about a critical period, 
he was suspicious that the medicines might require variation. He could 
not sleep, got up in the night, rode four miles to his patient, felt his pulse 
and skin, made signs for him to put out his tongue, and being satisfied that all was 
right, left the house without speaking to the patient or nurse. — [Thacher's Amer- 
ican Biography.] 

Dr. Hopkins was indefatigable in literary and scientific pursuits. 
When engaged on a subject which greatly interested him, he became 
abstracted and sometimes forgot to go to bed. His wife occasionally 
found him in the morning sitting in the precise position in which she had 
left him the evening before. His memory was peculiarly retentive ; 
and s > familiar was he wath the great English poets, that he would often 
entertain his friends by repeating the more valuable portions of their 
writings. Wilton and Pope were favorite authors. 

Dr. Hopkins was well known as one of a circle of distinguished lit- 
erary characters and poets, who, out of the State, were called the 
" Hartford wits." He was associated with Trumbull and Barlow in the 
composition of the " Arnachiad," a satirical poem, designed to show the 
precarious condition of the State under the old confederation. He was 
afterwards concerned in the production of the " Echo," and " The Politi- 
cal Green House." The last was first published in pamphlet form ; the 
other papers in the gazettes of the day, in Hartford and New Haven. The 
more celebrated of the poems known to be exclusively Hopkins' are the 
Hypocrite's Hope, and an Elegy on the Victim of a Cancer Quack. 
After Trumbull, he was the most eminent satirist of his day. He pub- 
lished nothing with his name. 

* See a biographical sketch ia Thacher's American Medical Biography, prepared by Drs. 
Thomas Miner and Samuel B. Woodward. 



416 HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 

In person, Dr. Hopkins was tall, lean, stooping. His features were 
large, liis eyes light, with a strongly marked countenance and uncom- 
monly long limbs. In youth, he was muscular and athletic. When a 
volunteer in the army of the Revolution, a party of officers were at- 
tempting to fire a '* king's arm " held in one hand with the arm extend- 
ed at full length. What others could not do, Hopkins, to the aston- 
ishment of all, accomplished with ease. 

Dr. Hopkins received from Yale College the honorary degree of A. M. 
in 11 Si. He was one of the founders of the Connecticut Medical Soci- 
ety, and while he lived, took an active part in its proceedings. He died, 
in the midst of his usefulness, April 14, 1801. 

SAMUEL MILES HOPKINS, LL. D. 

The subject of this memoir, the son of Samuel and Molly (Miles) 
Hopkins, and a descendant in the fifth generation of John Hopkins, was 
born at Salem, in Waterbury, on the 9th May, 1772. At his death, 
which occurred in the village of Geneva, New York, in Oct. 1837, he 
left behind him an autobiography in manuscript, from which it will be 
most convenient to draw an account of his early years and recollections. 

The house in which I was born [he writes] stood about a quarter or half a mile 
south of the principal dwelling on the Hopkins farm, and was occupied by my 
father as it had been by his father and perhaps grandfather before him. I 
mention it on account of a tradition, which I imperfectly remember, to this ef- 
fect. My grandfather's oldest brother, John, was to have removed to some far 
distant place, (Stockbridge, I suspect ;) but going there he found danger from the 
Indians, and so returned and lived in this house, the one my grandfather did or 
was to occupy. This great uncle John, I remember. I have therefore seen a man 
who in eifect was driven back by fear of Indians to within fourteen miles of New 
Haven. In 1826, I visited the old Hopkins place — no change except the slow 
workings of time upon wooden buildings a century old. But the grape vine was 
gone, and the huge apple and pear trees were rotting down with age. I remem- 
ber a scene, which must have happened at the house where I was born, in the 
spring of 1774, when I was twenty-three months old ; memory now presents to my 
view that house ; the door yard and the stone foundation and embankment as they 
were ; and when more than fifty years after I saw the same place, I found the pic- 
ture entirely faithful. I well remember hearing my grandfather, in the fall of 1774 
read much in the papers about "Ty," for so the name of Ticonderoga was written 
for brevity, and I remember feeling a sentiment of feverish dislike at the frequent 
repetition of the senseless sound. From that time my recollections furnish a good 
many pictures of men and things pertaining to Revolutionary times. Hence my 
frequent remark that perhaps the period of my life embraces up to this time the 
most interesting period of sixty years in civil history that has yet occurred. 

I remember something of the young men hurrying off to meet Burgoyne ; and 



APPENDIX. -417 

the deep and anxious solicitude with which my father and his neighbors ^vould talk 
of public affairs. I remember my father being absent with the militia who 
marched in defense of New York, in 1*776, when I Avas a few months more than 
four years old. I very well remember the rejoicings at the capture of Cornwallis. I 
have seen General Washington ; been a little acquainted with the elder Adams, 
and with Jay, Schuylei', Clinton and Pickering; have been a good deal ac- 
quainted with Charles Coatesworth Pinkney and John Marshall ; and have been 
conversant in business of the bar with that very extraordinary man, Aaron Burr, 
and that very admirable and wonderful man, Alexander Hamilton. If then we 
add, that the entire history of the Federal constitution, and the entire revolutions 
of Europe from 1789 come within my fresh recollections, you will admit that we 
must look forward and not backward for a more important period in temporal 
affairs. 

After spending several years with the family of his uncle, Dr. Lemuel 
Hopkins, attending the free Grammar School, and reading medicine, Mr. 
Hopkins, in 1787, entered the Sophomore class in Yale College. 

I passed three years [he says] at New Haven ; ardent, intensely studious, fac- 
tious, infidel, opinionated ; loving my friends devotedly, and beloved by them. I 
scarcely doubted but I was to accomplish some great thing upon the earth. By 
the diligent improvement of time I laid in a stock of knowledge upon many sub- 
jects, particularly history, for the study of which I have had no other opportunity. 
The spirit of Yale College was at that time a spirit of literary ambition and of in- 
fidelity. I was not in good favor with the Faculty, and took no pains to con- 
ciliate their good will. But they gave me one of the three Enghsh orations, which 
were then reputed the highest appointments. I refused to attend at commence- 
ment ; and they refused me my degree ; and the degree of Doctor of Laws, con- 
ferred when my second son entered Yale College, was the first and only one I ever 
received. Having resolved on the profession of the law, I entered, in the fall of 
1791, the office of Judge (then Mr.) Reeve in Litchfield. His law school contain- 
ed more than twenty pupils and was already celebrated throughout the union. 
He was altogether an admirable man, of a purity, sincerity and guilelessness of 
heart, such as I have seen in few men in this world. His daily lectures were most 
happy, from his admirable faculty of carrying always on a view of the history and 
reason of every principle. I have no doubt but his lectures are yet felt and long 
will be, in their happy influence upon the juridical department of our country's pub- 
lic economy. At a subsequent time he became a most devoted Christian. 

After only eighteen months' study, Mr. Hopkins was unexpectedly, 
and in violation of a general rule, offered an e.xamination for admission 
to the bar. In April of the same year, (1793,) he removed to Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y., and put himself under the tuition of two young lawyers 
of excellent reputation, well known subsequently as Chancellor Kent, 
and Judge Radcliff of Brooklyn ; with both of whom he maintained an 
uninterrupted friendship of forty years. In three weeks of intense ap- 
plication, he acquired such a knowledge of the practice of the New York 
courts, then reputed a mystery demanding three years clerkship, as to 
27 



4:18 HISTORY OF WATEEBTTRY. 

pass a successful examination. His license was dated May 9th, 1793, 
the day he was twenty-one years old. Col. Burr, who aimed to attach 
to himself young men of talent and energy, made the motion for his 
admission, and subsequently presented him a library of choice law 
books, saying he " might settle it in his will, if he chose." Mr. Hopkins, 
however, insisted on paying him the full value of the books. 

He began business as a lawyer in the young village of Oxford, Che- 
nango Co., where he drew his first law draft " on the head of a barrel, 
under a roof made of poles, and in the rain, which was partly kept 
from spattering the paper by a broad-brimmed hat." 

In 1794, he removed to New York City, on the invitation of James 
Watson, Esq., who entered into an extensive and liberal arrangement 
with him for the survey and sale abroad of Virginia lands. In the pros- 
ecution of this scheme, Mr. Hopkins visited England and the continent 
of Europe during the years 179G and '97. 

I had obtained [he says] upwards of 300,000 acres, such as I thought I could 
safely and honorably recommend. American lands had become disgraced by the 
operations of Robert Morris and others, and I finally failed of my object. But I 
liugered in Europe with the assent of Mr. Watson, partly with the distant hope of 
better success, but more to seize that opportunity of enlarging my knowledge of 
men and things. Besides my business, my object was to see and learn all I could. 
I attended Parliament, and heard Pitt, Fox and Sheridan ; the House of Lords, 
and saw Loughborough on the woolsack; the King's Bench, and saw Lord Ken- 
yon, Ashurst, Gross and Lawrence ; the Common Pleas, and saw Buller and heard 
him give an opinion, and no man in England gained my admiration more than he. 
Once or twice I was on the point of concluding a great operation. The Bank of 
England stopped paying specie. Then came the mutiny at the Nore, the reverses 
of the Duke of York in Flanders and the success of the French. Many capitalists 
thought of seeking some safe investments in America, but did not love very 
plainly to avow it ; and on the whole, the firmness of the British nation under ac- 
cumulated difficulties inspired me with great respect for the national character. 

Tbe summer and autumn of 1797 he spent in Paris, attending the 
lectures of Fourcroy and Charles, and studying the French character and 
objects of curiosity in art and science. He witnessed the coup d'etat of 
the 18th Fructidor, and the reception of Bonaparte on his return from 
his Italian campaign, and observed to Joel Barlow, his fellow lodger, 
that he was satisfied the French never could maintain self-government. 
His account of the manner in which the elections were conducted, by or- 
dering bodies of troops into all the large towns and placing opposition 
candidates under arrest, would serve as a very accurate description of 
the freedom of elections under Louis Napoleon. 

Returning from abroad, Mr. Hopkins engaged in the practice of law 



APPENDIX. 419 

in the city of New York, where in the year 1800 he married Sarah 
Ehzabeth, daughter of Moses Rogers, Esq., who still (1857) survives. 

In 1810, in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. B. W. Rogers of 
New York, Mr. Hopkins purchased two tracts of land on the Genesee 
River, and engaged on a large scale in the business of farming. Though 
conducted with great energy and skill, the enterprise, from the over- 
throw of credit and the disappearance of currency following the war, 
turned out unfortunately. 

One of the most delightful dreams of my fancy, [he observes,] in going to the 
West, was to have my parents near me, so that we might live in each other's 
society, and some in turn might close the eyes of the others. It was otherwise 
ordered; and I already began to see the clouds of disappointment gathering 
around my establishment. I cleared land, fenced fields and multipUed my sheep. 
I built a house, a village, and mills and farm buildings. From the river, my 
operations extended back to the pine woods, near three miles. But I made these 
improvements at the enormous war prices of labor and produce ; and when in 
turn I had the wheat of one hundred acres to sell, it would not command, in cash, 
twenty-five cents per bushel, for any quantity, great or small. The wool of fifteen 
hundred sheep sold proportionally low, or nearly so. Of these sheep, a select 
flock of three hundred, full merinos, were bred with more care, I presume, than 
any other man had ever used. Losses came upon losses like the beating of hail ; 
but the greatest was that money disappeared from the country, and property 
ceased to have any but a very low exchangeable value. When afterwards I came 
to sell my Moscow estate, at a loss of $50,000 compared with its late saleable 
value, I deemed the sale rather a fortunate escape. 

Mr. Hopkins removed to the city of Albany, and resumed the prac- 
tice of law. His studies had led him to pay particular attention to the 
subject of crime and punishment; and in 1826, he was appointed by 
the Legislature commissioner, with two associates, to arrange and super- 
intend the whole penitentiary system of the State. He engaged in 
this work with characteristic enthusiasm. He corresponded, traveled, 
experimented with great pains in relation to prison diet and rations, en- 
lightened public opinion by a series of essays, recommended the Auburn 
or silent system of penal labor, and with his fellow commissioners built 
and governed the State's prison at Sing Sing. The subject of prison dis- 
cipline continued greatly to interest, and more or less to occupy him, dur- 
ing the remainder of his life. He withdrew entirely from legal practice, 
removed to the village of Geneva, and spent his last years, enjoying an 
ample competence, in literary pursuits, horticulture, the society of 
friends and religious and philanthropic labors. He died a triumphant 
Christian death, October 8 th, 1837. 

At different times of his life, Mr. Hopkins represented his fellow citi. 



420 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

zens in the state and national Legislatures, and presided as one of the 
judges of the western district of the State of New York. He left behind 
him at his death an unfinished work on jury trials, and another nearly 
complete consisting of aphorisms in ontology, exhibiting the application 
of demonstrative reasoning to moral truths. 

Some of the above details may perhaps be more minute than the inte- 
rest of the subject will justify to ordinary readers. But supposing the object 
of these memoirs to be to furnish in a limited compass a distinct impres- 
sion of the men described, it was judged this would be best efiected in 
the present instance by leaving him in part to speak for himself. The 
autobiography from wliich the brief extracts of this sketch are taken 
was by the writer merely designed for the instruction of his children ; 
but it is believed the use bere made of it will involve no breach of 
confidence. 

Mr. Hopkins, tliougb admirable as a converser and the delight of the 
social circle, was not distinguished as a public speaker, either at the bar 
or in the senate. In politics, he had no success, and indeed almost no 
ambition. He had a generous kind of instinct which always made him 
a member of the losing party. He was a Federalist; a Clay man; an 
Anti-Mason; a\yhig; a zealous advocate of Temperance ; a coloniza- 
tionalist and a hater of slavery. For near the last twenty years of his 
life, he was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a living, exem- 
plary Christian. He was generous minded and careless of his own in- 
terests to a fault ; naturally impulsive, but thoroughly self-disciplined ; 
full of warm sympathies and a model of refined courtesy in social life. 
Few men have bad more attacbed friends or left a larger circle of genu- 
ine mourners. 

In person, Mr. Hopkins was about six feet in height, and perfectly 
formed for strength and activity. He was a rapid walker, a bold rider 
and was fond of a good horse. He retained possession of all his physical 
and mental activity up to the seizure of the attack which terminated his 
life. His biography contains little or nothing of attractive incident or 
public interest. It is the life of a man of fine powers, who was never 
highly successful in the pursuit of either fame, honors or wealth ; but 
who was unspeakably happy in this, that the discipline of life chastened 
his spirit, and brought him through many trials to the experience of a 
peace that passeth understanding and a hope full of immortality. 

Dr. AMBROSE IVES. 
He was the son of Abijah, and the grandson of Abraham Ives ; was 
born in Wallingford, Dec. 30, 1786, and died in Waterbury, Jan. 31, 



APPENDIX. 421 

1852. He studied medicine with Dr. Cornwall of Cheshire, and settled 
in Wolcott about 1808. Here he married, March 30, 1817, Wealthy 
U. Upson, and was engaged in an extensive practice till 1827. He 
then removed to Wallingford to look after his deceased father's estate. 
After an interval of two years, he resolved to resume his professional 
business, and settled in Plymouth. There he soon obtained a large 
practice. In 1834, he became interested in the manufacture of gilt 
buttons at Waterville and took charge of the business. In 1 837, he re- 
moved to Waterbury, and in 1839 sold out his interest at Waterville. 
Soon after, he bought into the company of Brown & Elton, and contin- 
ued in this connection till his decease, but without himself engaging in 
the management of the business. 

As a physician. Dr. Ives was sound, discriminating and skillful. No 
practitioner in the vicinity in which he lived was more deservedly esteem- 
ed for strong common sense and matured judgment. As a business man, 
he was enlightened, sagacious and stable. Few men understood human 
nature more perfectly, or could see farther into the course of events de- 
pending on the human will. By able management and financial skill 
he succeeded in acquiring a large property. 

Dr. Ives was not tall, but stout, and in the latter part of his life be- 
came somewhat corpulent. He preserved the plain and economical 
habits of his early life. In conversation, he was shrewd, intelligent and 
facetious. He had a fund of anecdote and illustration, and abounded in 
witty and humorous remarks. Few were more companionable or in- 
structive. 

Rev. JONATHAN JUDD 

Was the third son of Capt. William Judd, and the grandson of Dea. 
Thomas Judd, and was born in the village of Waterbury, Oct. 4, 1719. 
He entered Yale College, and was graduated in 1741, being the class- 
mate and bosom friend, as well as first cousin, of Samuel Hopkins, 2d. 
He became the first minister of the second precinct or parish of North- 
ampton, now the town of Southampton, where a church was gathered 
and he ordained June 8, 1743, a few months before the ordination of Mr. 
Hopkins. The two were correspondents for many years ; but at last an 
alienation of feeling, followed by non-intercourse, took place, in conse- 
quence of a diff"erence in theological views. Mr. Judd remained the 
faithful pastor of the Southampton church for sixty years, and died July 
28, 1803. The house which he built in 1743, and which was surround- 
ed by a palisade in the French and Indian wars for security against sur- 
prise, is still standing in a good state of preservation. By direction of 



422 HISTORY OF WA.TERBUKY. 

his will his sermons were burned, to the number of nearly three thou- 
sand. Two or three had been published.* 

Mr. Judd married, Nov. 28, 1743, Silence, daughter of Capt. Jonathan 
Sheldon of Suffield. He had seven children, all of whom survived the 
father. Of the sons, the second, Sylvester Judd, was the father of Syl- 
vester Judd now of Northampton, extensively known for his historical 
and genealogical researches. The last was the father of Rev. Sylvester 
Judd, (recently deceased,) of Augusta, Maine, celebrated as a preacher, 
public lecturer and literary man, and the author of several books of 
much merit 



JOHN KINGSBURY 

Was the son of Nathaniel Kingsbury, and was born in that part of 
Norwich now called Franklin, Dec. 30, 1762. In his boyhood, he 
labored on the farm with his father ; but at the age of seventeen, was 
sent to his uncle. Dr. Charles Backus, an eminent minister of Somers, 
to prepare for college. In the following year, he entered Yale College ; 
but he soon left, and engaged as a marine on board a privateer. He 
made two cruises, and assisted in taking two prizes. Before his return 
from the last cruise he was taken dangerously ill, and was in a critical 
condition for a long time. After recovering, he returned to college and 
graduated in 1786. He then went to Waterbury, and taught in the 
new academy about one year. In the spring of 1788, he entered the 
Law School of Judge Reeve, at Litchfield, and in 1790, was admitted to 
the bar in Litchfield county. His health was poor, and he did not 
immediately enter upon the practice of his profession ; but in the fall of 
1791, he settled in Waterbury and opened a law office. Three years 
;afterwards, (Nov. 6, 1794,) he married Mercy, the eldest daughter of 
Dea. Stephen Bronson, by whom he had four children, Charles Denizen, 
Julius Jesse Bronson, John Southmayd and Sarah Susanna, all of whom 
■except the last survived their father. His wife died of pulmonary 
.consumption, March 21, 1813. 

In 1793, Mr. Kingsbury was chosen town clerk, and held the office 
imuch of the time till 1818. In 1796, he was appointed a justice of the 
tpeace, and was continued in office till 1830. Seventeen times between 
1796 and 1813, he represented the town in the Legislature. On the 
death of Judge Hopkins, in 1801, he was appointed to fill the vacancies 
in the Probate and County Courts. He was continued as judge of Pro- 

* Genealogy of the Judds ; by Sylvester Judd, 1S57. 



APPENDIX. 423 

bate for tlie District of Waterbury till 1834, and as a judge of the 
County Court (the last year presiding judge) till May, 1820. 

Judge Kingsbury acquired, in an eminent degree, the confidence and 
respect of the community in which he lived. He held many public 
oflSces, and always discharged his duties ably, faithfully and acceptably. 
From the death of Judge Hopkins to the time of his decease, no man in 
the town was more honored, respected and beloved. 

Judge Kingsbury was a popular man, but he became so in conse- 
quence of the benevolence of his character, his kindly sympathies, his 
agreeable manners and many excellent qualities. He never sacrificed 
principle or consistency. He was a good neighbor and trusty friend. 
Lively in his manner, easy in conversation, often facetious in his 
remarks, his company was sought by persons of all ages and classes. 
His long aquiline nose, the benevolent smile which usually played upon 
his countenance, and his winning way, can never be forgotten by those 
who knew him. 

Judge Kingsbury was always delicate in health, and for the last twenty 
years, or more, of his life, had strong consumptive tendencies. He died 
at the house of his son-in-law, William Brown, (with whom he had re- 
sided several years,) of an obstruction of the bowels, August 26, 1844. 



Was the second son of John Kingsbury, and was born Oct. 18, 1V97. 
As in his youth there was no school in Waterbury of a higher grade 
than a district school, he was sent from home and pursued his 
studies at different times with the Rev. Dr. Tyler, then of South Britain 
the Rev. Mr. Hart of Plymouth and Daniel Parker of Ellsworth, a 
society of Sharon. In 1819, he obtained through the influence of 
David Daggett, then a member of Congress, the appointment of 
cadet at the Military Academy at West Point. He left this in- 
stitution, in regular course, in 1823 ; was attached as lieutenant 
to the second regiment of infantry, and ordered with a detachment of 
troops to Sault Ste. Marie, at the outlet of Lake Superior, to as- 
sist in building the fort called Fort Brady. Here he remained 
three or four years, under Maj. afterwards Col. Cutler, during which 
time (while on leave of absence visiting his friends at the East) 
he married Miss Jane Stebbins, of New York, sister-in-law of Capt. W. 
Becker, also of the 2d regiment. Next, he was ordered with a detach- 
ment by sea to New Orleans and Nacogdoches, then on our southwestern 
frontier. Afterwards, he was stationed for a time at Mackinaw and 
Fort Gratiot. During the Black Hawk war in 1832, he was at Chicago, 



424: HISTOKT OF WATEEBUET. 

attached to the commissary department, and saw much hard and dan- 
gerous service. While there, lie purchased for $700 about 36 acres of 
h\nd on the North Branch of the Chicago River, near its junction with 
the South Branch, and about two acres on the south side of the Main 
River, the latter tract in the heart of the present city, and the former 
but a little way distant. The land is still in the possession of the 
family, and is now thought to be worth several hundred thousand dol- 
lars. When the purchase was made, Chicago was in its infancy, con- 
taining, in 1832, according to M'Cullock, but five small stores and 250 
inhabitants. 

Kingsbury was afterwards at Fort Niagara. Still later, during the dis- 
turbances on our northeastern frontier, he was stationed at Hancock 
Barracks, Houlton, Maine. Thence, after the breaking out of the Semi- 
nole v/ar, he was ordered, with his command, to Tampa Bay, Florida. 
There he remained three years, (with the exception of a short interval ;) 
and his constitution was so broken by the combined influence of climate, 
exposure and fatigue, that he never recovered. On his return to the 
North, he was stationed at Sacketts Harbor, and afterwards a second 
time to Fort Brady. He left this last post early in 1847, to join Gen. 
Scott before Vera Cruz. He assisted in the capture of that place, and 
was more or less engaged in all the battles which occurred on the march 
to the city of Mexico. For his good conduct in one of the engagements 
near the city, he was breveted. Throughout the campaign, he acted as 
lieut. colonel of his regiment, though he was at that time only a captain. 

While in Mexico, Capt. Kingsbury was attacked by a severe brain 
fever, which seriously threatened his life. When he had recovered 
sufficient strength, Gen. Scott sent him home " on sick leave." In Dec. 
1848, having partially regained his health, he was ordered with a part 
of his regiment to California, where he remained nearly two years. 
While there, he was promoted and transferred to the sixth regiment. 
He returned home in the summer of 1850, but too much out of health 
to be. fit for duty. He spent the next two years at Washington and 
with his friends at the East, on sick leave. He then started to join his 
regiment at St. Louis; but was detained at Detroit by the illness of 
himself and family, where he was compelled to spend the winter, 
(1852-3.) While at Detroit, owing to some misunderstanding with the 
War Department, not implicating his integrity or honor, his name was 
stricken from the army roll. Conceiving himself to have been unfairly 
treated, he declined to make any explanation, or to hold any communi- 
cation with the department. Before his death, however, he settled all 
his accounts with the government and received a balance which was 



APPENDIX. 425 

found due him. He died in Washington, when on the point of leaving 
for the East, of malignant dysentery, July 26, 1856. His remains were 
brought to Waterbury, where he was buried, according to his expressed 
wishes, in the old burying ground by the side of his father, 

Maj. Kingsbury was a brave and skillful officer, who was always equal 
to the duties imposed upon him. He was nearly thirty years connected 
with the army, and though sometimes charged with indolence and pro- 
crastination, was ever distinguished for honorable conduct. He lost 
his health and ruined his constitution in the public service. Long before 
his death, the seeds of certain dissolution had been planted iu his sys- 
tem. His loss was a sore bereavement to a large circle of friends and 
acquaintances. He was estimable and respectable in all his relations, 
and his memory will not soon be lost. He left behind him a widow, 
a daughter who married Capt. Buckner, recently of the U. S. Army, 
and a son named Henry, who is now a cadet at West Point. His eld- 
est son, Julius, died in California several years ago. 

MARK LEAVENWORTH 

Was born in New Haven, August 31st, 1774, and died in Waterbury, 
Sept. 5th, 1849, aged 75 years. His father, Jesse Leavenworth, a grad- 
uate of Yale College and a captain in the Revolution, was a man of 
much enterprise, and previous to the war was largely engaged (for the 
times) in the shipping interest. His mother, Katharine Leavenworth, 
was a woman of great spirit and firmness, as was instanced by her in- 
sisting on remaining at her residence, during the invasion of New 
Haven by the British, while her husband was absent conveying their 
children to a place of safety, and when nearly all the inhabitants had 
fled. 

At the age of ten years, the subject of this notice removed with his 
fother to the county of Caledonia, in Vermont, at whicb time there was 
not a white man living within thirty miles in the direction of Canada, and 
but one family within many miles of their residence. The father owned 
what are now the towns of Danville and Peacham. At the age of four- 
teen, becoming dissatisfied, he determined to return to Connecticut. 
He performed the journey on foot and alone. The distance was near 
three hundred miles. After his return to New Haven, he resided in 
the family of his uncle, Mark Leavenworth, Esq., wbo sent him to 
a school, (Mansfield's,) where he studied geometry, navigation and sur- 
veying, intending to go to sea, an idea which he afterwards relin- 
quished. Further than this, his school education was limited, being 
confined to reading, writing, geography and a good knowledge of 
arithmetic. 



426 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

After leaving scliool, he was engaged in mechanical pursuits. He 
was employed for a number of years with Jesse Hopkins of Waterbury, 
in that branch of the silversmith business which was applied to making 
knee and shoe buckles. Near the period of his majority, the fashions 
having changed, this branch of the business became worthless. At the 
age of twenty-one years, he married Anna, the daughter of Moses 
Cooke of Waterbury, (a woman of placid temper, excellent sense and 
great moral worth,) and commenced life with no other capital than 
great energy, a determined will and uncommonly industrious habits. 
They had seven children, six of whom arrived at the age of maturity, of 
whom the eldest two alone survive. After his marriage, he engaged in 
the manufiicture of axes and steelyards, and also the mountings of small 
arms, (guns,) such as ramrods, bands and bayonets. At this business 
he employed a number of hands until the year 1800. In the fall of 
that year, he left for South Carolina and Georgia with steelyards and 
axes. This was an adventure wnich at the time called forth more re- 
mark and excited more wonder than the circumnavigation of the globe 
would in our day. In the year 1801, in company with his brother, Dr. 
Frederick Leavenworth, he collected a drove of mules in Vermont and 
New Hampshire, which were driven to South Carolina and Georgia. 
He continued in this business about five years. He returned in the 
summers, and employed himself in constructing one or more of Whit- 
ney's cotton-gins. The gin was then a recent invention. After ceasing 
to go South, he commenced the manufacture of clocks, in which busi- 
ness he was for many years extensively engaged. In 1829, in addition 
to the clock business, he became interested with his son, B. F. Leaven- 
worth, and his son-in-law, Green Kendrick, in the manufacture of gilt 
buttons. In 1835, he ceased to manufacture clocks, and engaged per- 
sonally in the manufacture of gilt and cloth buttons, with his son-in-law, 
C. S. Sperry, which he continued till his death. He was a pioneer in 
manufacturing in the town of Waterbury. By reading and observa- 
tion, he became a man of much intelligence. He was benevolent and 
public spirited. He was a member of the Congregational church, with 
which he and his wife united in 1817. — She died April 9th, 1842. 

In person, Mr. Leavenworth was of middle stature, his frame com- 
pactly and firmly knit together, and his constitution good. Though 
not always fortunate in business, he was a man of untiring industry, 
and indomitable energy and perseverance. It was when laboring under 
embarrassment that these traits were most conspicuous. When others 
would have despaired, he saw reason for redoubled effort and more 
untiring application. Under a load which would have broken the back 



APPENDIX. 427 

or crushed the spirit of aa ordinary man, he moved with freedom and 
cheerfulness. If bad 'luck overtook him, lie was always ready to try 
again, and never failed to find something to comfort him. When the 
storm came upon him in 1837, and he was obliged to yield, he con- 
soled himself with the reflection that he " stood it longer than the 
United States Bank." And it may be added that he recovered sooner. 
Mr. Leavenworth had one of the kindest of hearts. He was well in- 
formed, sociable, sensible and shrewd. There was sometimes an archness 
and a dry humor in his remarks, particularly on character, which ren- 
dered his familiar conversation quite attractive. 

Gex. DANIEL POTTER 
Was one of the thirteen children (the tw^efth, chronologically) of Dea- 
Daniel Potter, and was born in Northbury, Feb. 15, 1758. He grad- 
uated at Yale College in 1780, married, Jan. 25, 1781, Martha, daugh- 
ter of Caleb Humaston, Esq., and settled, as a farmer, in Northbury, 
then a parish of Watertown. He was a representative to the General 
Assembly several times, both before and after Northbury was made (in 
1795) a distinct town. He was a man of a vigorous intellect and a 
sound judgment, and exerted a wide influence. His tall, erect and manly 
figure was a fitting tabernacle for a mind like his. 

Gen. Potter had four children, Horace, Ansel, Minerva and Daniel 
Tertius. He died April 21, 1842, and his wife April 28, 1842.* 

MARK RICHARDS 
Was the youngest child and fifth son of Abijah Richards, and was 
born July 15, 1760, in a house which stood on the west side of Cook 
street, near where Noah Bronson now lives. He was the great grand- 
son of Obadiah Richards, one of the first planters of Waterbury. His 
mother was Huldah Hopkins, the eldest daughter of Timothy Hopkins, 
and sister of Samuel, Daniel and Mark Hopkins. She possessed the 
strength of mind which belonged to her family, and attended per- 
sonally to the proper training of her son, who was not quite thirteen 
years of age when his father died. 

When the Revolution broke out, in 1775, Richards was too young to 
enter the army ; but he caught the spirit of the times. When he be- 
came sixteen, an age which entitled him to shoulder a musket, he de- 

* Isaiah Potter, the son of Dea. Daniel and Martha (Ray) Potter, was born in Northbury, 
July 23, 1746 ; graduated at Yale College in 1767, in the same class as John Trumbull ; was or- 
dained at Lebanon, N. H., in Aug. 1772; retired from his charge in Sept. 1816, and died by his 
own'hand in August, 1817. He published a Masonic sermon delivered at Uanover, N. H., 1802, 



428 HISTORY OF WATEKBUET. 

termined to join the array. That his design might not be defeated by 
the interference of friends, he left his bed in the night, passed out of the 
window, and repaired to the camp of Gen. Wooster and enhsted. In 
the morning, the family was, of course, much alarmed. At last, infor- 
mation was received where the truant boy could be found, and his eldest 
brother, Street, was sent to bring him back, without fail. On applica- 
tion to Gen. Wooster, and after a statement had been made of the cir- 
cumstances of the case, permission Avas obtained for the young recruit 
to return. He declined doing so, however, most peremptorily ; and de- 
clared that, as he had made an engagement with his country, he would 
fulfill it, and see the game played out. As he was of a determined and 
persevering disposition, importunity was seen to be useless, and the dis- 
appointed brother returned reluctantly to his sorrowing friends. The, 
soldier-boy remained with the array through the war; was with the 
suffering troops at Valley Forge, in the winter of 1 77*7-8 ; was present 
in many battles, and died a pensioner. 

After the war, Mr. Richards went to Boston and became the partner 
of his brother Giles,* a man of enterprise and mechanical skill, who 
carried on the business of making wool and cotton cards by hand. The 
Messrs. Cutters and William and Amos Whittemore, the last the invent- 
or of the famous card making machine, were also partners. The busi- 
ness was prosperous. 

In 1796, on account of his wife's health, Mr. Richards removed from 
Boston and settled in Westminster, Windham County, Vt., where he 
became a tradesman. He was soon chosen to represent the town in 
the Legislature of the State, and was eight years a member of that 
body, between 1801 and 1834 inclusive. In 1806, 1807, 1808 and 
1809, he was high sheriif of the County; in 1812 and 1824, one of the 
electors of president and vice-president of the U. S.; in 1813 and 1815, 
a member of the State Council. He served four years as a representa- 
tive in Congress, being elected in 1816 and reelected in 1818. In 
1830, he was chosen lieutenant governor of the State. 

Mr. Richards was distinguished for good sense, great industry, method 
in business, and punctuality in all his engagements. Till the close of 
his life in 1844, he retained the high respect and entire confidence of 
his friends and fellow citizens. Soon after he went to Boston, he mar- 

* Giles Richards, second son of Abijah, married Sarah, the youngest daughter of the Rev. 
Thomas Adams of Roxbury, Mass., and had children— J , Giles, Jr. ; 2. Adams, who removed to 
Ohio ; 3. George, of Paris, (Frivnce ;) 4. Sarah, the first wife of Amos Lawrence, Esq., Boston; 
5. Mary, who married John K. Adan, Boston. 

Giles Richards was ultimately unfortunate in business, and died at Dedham, Mass., much 
respected. 



APPENDIX. 429 

ried Ann Dorr, widow of Joseph Dorr of Boston, and daugliter of Jo- 
seph Ruggles of Roxbury, Mass., a woman of good family, by whom he 
had several children. Two only, daughters, survived him, one of whom 
married the Hon. William C. Bradley, formerly member of Congress 
from Vermont, and the other Hon. Samuel W, Porter of Springfield, 
Vermont. 

JAMES MITCHELL LAMSON SCOVILL. 

He was the eldest born of James and Alathea (Lamson ) Scovill, 
and the grandson of Rev. James Scovill. He was born Sept. 4, 1789, 
and died May 16, 1857, His early education was obtained at the dis- 
trict schools. According to his own account of himself, he was a " wide 
awake " youth, and kept the pedagogues busy. At the age of seventeen, 
he became a clerk.in his father's store. In 1811, Sept. 19, he and Frede- 
rick Leavenworth bought out the factory, machinery, tools and stock of 
Abel Porter & Co., and in connection with David Hayden commenced 
the manufacture of gilt and brass buttons, under the name of Leaven- 
worth, Hayden & Scovill* Some of the work was done in the old grist 
mill. Mr. Hayden was the only practical button maker in the compa- 
ny. Mr. Scovill sold the goods and attended to the out-of-door busi- 
ness. When traveling, he improved every chance to pick up old 
copper. About once a month, he made a journey to the iron mill at 
Bradleyville, Litchfield, and waited to have his brass rolled. On one of 
his return trips he had an old copper still in his sleigh. As there was 
no other place to ride, he got inside. Afterwards he was overturned, but 
drawing his head within, he rolled down the hill uninjured. 

About 1811, the Waterbury Woolen Co., under the superintendence 
of Austin Steele, commenced operations. James Scovill and Leaven- 
worth, Hayden & Scovill were stockholders. When peace was de- 
clared, woolen goods went down, and this investment was a total loss. 

Leavenworth, Hayden & Scovill continued business, with very mod- 
erate success, till the fall of 1827, when Dr. Leavenworth and Mr. Hayden 
sold out, and William H. Scovill bought in. Dr. L. got for his one third 

♦ The names of all the partners were introduced into the partnership name at the particular 
request of Mr. Hayden. He had had some painful experienceswhich made him strenuous on this 
point. His name was not known in the firm of Abel Porter & Co. While a member of this 
company, without much Isnowledge of the forms of business, he went to New Haven to draw 
money out of the bank. He drew a check, signed the company's name, and presented it to the 
old New Haven Bank. The officers did not know him. He must bring evidence of his individual 
identity and partnership relation. The day was spent in fruitless endeavors to find the needed 
proof. Of course he was in a towering rage, and showered epithets upon the stupid bank offi- 
cials. He returned home without money enough to pay gnte fees, unburdening himself to the 
rocks and trees on the way. 



430 niSTOKT OF WATEEBUEY. 

interest about §6,000. The new firm took the nameof J. M. L. & W. H. 
Scovill. They went on prosperously till 1829, when they met with a 
severe loss by the burning of their factory. It was immediately rebuilt, 
and the business soon became more extensive and flourishing than ever. 
In 1840, S. M, Buckingham and Abram Ives became interested in the 
button business, which was now carried on under the name of Scovill & 
Co. J. M. L. & W, H, Scovill continued the manufacture of rolled brass 
and plated metal, which had now become an important interest. They 
also associated themselves with John Buckingham, under the name of 
Scovills & Buckingham, in the making of patent brass butts, the busi- 
ness being carried on at the place now owned by the Oakville Pin Co., 
on Steel's Brook, About 1842, they began the manufacture of Daguerre- 
otype plates, and soon did an extensive business in that line. In Jan. 
1850, a joint stock company was formed under the name of Scovill Man- 
ufacturing Co., into which all the interests named above, those of J. M. 
L. & W. H. Scovill, Scovills & Buckingham and Scovills & Co., were 
merged, some of their employees being admitted as stockholders. The 
Scovills owned a majority of the stock. The capital was at first 
$250,000, It is now $300,000, The operations of the company have 
been upon a large scale and successful. 

The present manufacturing interests of Waterbury are perhaps more in- 
debted to Lamson Scovill than to any other man. He was bold, energetic 
and sagacious. He liad enlarged views and that degree of confidence in 
the future which ensured success. So soon as he got strength of his own, 
he was ready to lend assistance to others. Many enterprises have been 
carried forward to a successful result by his kindly aid. Not only his 
relations, but his friends, in the largest sense, shared in his financial 
prosperity. He was foremost in all the improvements of his native vil- 
lage. His own generous impulses he did not hesitate to follow, even 
when indulgence was expensive. He was a large-hearted man with 
social, kindly feelings. Few persons have been equally respected or 
more beloved. He was a member of St. John's church, of which he was 
an important benefactor. His generosity and that of his brother Wil- 
liam founded a professorship in Washington College, which is named 
after the donors. At the time of his funeral, the factories, stores and 
public places of the city were closed, and the countenances of the citi- 
zens, assembled in large numbers, wore an aspect of honest grief. 



431 



WILLIAM HENRY SCOVILL, 

A younger brother of the preceding, was born July 27, 1796. His 
mother was Alathea, the daughter of Mitchel Lanison of Woodbury, a 
woman of excellent character and superior endowments, who died a 
few years ago, aged about 80. 

Mr. Scovill spent his early life at home on the farm and in the store 
of his father. When about seventeen years of age, he went to school 
at the Academy in Cheshire, then taught by the Eev. Dr. Bronson. 
He was there in the winter of 1812-13. In the following year, he 
became a clerk in a store in New Haven, first in the employment of Mr. 
Brush, and then in that of Mr. Peck. When about 20 years of age, he 
returned to Waterbury and opened a store, the capital being furnished 
by Mr. Peck. The business not proving successful, it was abandoned 
after two years' trial, and Mr. Scovill again engaged himself as a clerk 
to his uncle, William K. Lawson, of Berwick, Pennsylvania, in whose 
employment he remained about two years. The next year, after leaving 
Berwick, he went into trade on his own account at a place called 
Turner's Cross Roads, near the Roanoke, in North Carolina, where, in 
addition to the usual articles of a country store, he dealt somewhat in 
cotton. Here he remained several years, and accumulated five or six 
thousand dollars. In 1827, he visited Waterbury and made an en- 
gagement with his elder brother, J. M. L. Scovill, to become his partner 
in the business of manufacturing metal buttons. 

On the 2d day of July, 1827, Mr. Scovill was married at Black Lake, 
near Ogdensburgh, N. Y., to Eunice Ruth Davies, daughter of Hon. 
Thomas J. Davies. By this marriage he had four children, two of 
whom still survive, Mrs. F. J. Kingsbury of Waterbury and Mrs. Curtis 
of New York City. Mrs. Scovill, a woman of many virtues, of uncom- 
mon intelligence and great force of character, died, much lamented, of 
pulmonary consumption, Nov. 25, 1839. 

Mr. Scovill was again married, March 22d, 1841, to Rebecca H. 
Smith, second daughter of Hon. Nathan Smith, deceased, of New Haven, 
by whom he had three children, one of whom, a son, still survives. He 
died at' Charleston, S. C, whither he had gone for the recovery of his 
health, (which had been for several months declining,) March 27, 1854. 
His second wife died the 4th day of August following. 

Mr. Scovill, for many years before his death, filled a large space and 
exercised a wide influence, in the community in which he lived. He 
was a sagacious business man of comprehensive views, who assisted his 
brother in conducting one of the most extensive and prosperous man- 



432 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

ufacturing establishments in Waterbury. He was a man of intelligence, 
of generous sympathies and inflexible principle. His wealth he dis- 
tributed with a free hand in the way of both public and private charity. 
To every good cause, he was ready to give material aid. He was em- 
phatically a public benefactor, and his loss was a public calamity. He 
was one of the most active and influential members of St. John's 
church, Waterbury ; was senior warden for many years, and was among 
the foremost in the work of erecting the beautiful edifice in which the 
society now worship. Throughout the State, he was known as the 
liberal patron of the church and its institutions. 

Mr. Scovill was not less distinguished for his social and private than 
for his pubHc virtues. At his own fireside, in the bosom of his family, 
among his intimate friends and in all the most sacred relations of life, 
he was faithful, aftectionate and true. 

JUNIUS SMITH, LL. D., 

The third son of Major-General David Smith, (a major in the Revolu- 
tion,) was born in Watertown, Northbury Parish, Oct. 2, 1780. He 
graduated at Yale College in 1802, studied law in the Law School in 
Litchfield, and settled as a lawyer in New Haven. In 1805, he had 
occasion to go to London on business, and being detained beyond his 
expectations, engaged in commerce, maintaining his connection with 
Tallmadge, Smith & Co., of New York. In 1810, he visited his friends 
in this country, but soon returned. On the 9th of April, 1812, he 
married Sarah Allen, the daughter of Thomas Allen, Esq , of Hudders- 
fiekl, Yorkshire.* 

Mr. Smith continued his mercantile pursuits with varied success, till 
1832. He then interested himself in the great cause of Transatlantic 
Steam Navigation, in connection with which, his name has become 
widely celebrated. He sailed for New York in August, his thoughts 
intently occupied wiih the subject. He became convinced that the 
Atlantic could be traversed by steam, and when he arrived at New 
York, endeavored to awaken an interest in his plans among merchants 
and others. He was met by a smile of incredulity, and returned to 
London in Dec. (1832.) Here he first applied to the London and Ed- 
inburgh Steam Navigation Company, whose steam vessels were the 
largest afloat, and tried to enlist it in his undertaking. Failing in this, 
he made efforts to find and charter a vessel for an experimental trip, 

* See Kilbourne's Biographical History of Litchfield County, &c., a work of which I have 
made free use in the preparation of this sketch. 



fsj 



o 




APPENDIX. 433 

but met with no success. He then began to consider whether he 
couki not compass bis object by the formation of a joint-stock company 
for the purpose of constructing steamships for Atlantic navigation. On 
the first of June, 1835, a prospectus of a company proposing a capital 
of £100,000 was issued, in his own name, and widely distributed, at 
considerable expense, among the London merchants, particularly those 
engaged in the New York trade. A very few regarded the plan with 
favor; but generally it was made the subject of gibes and jeers. Its 
author was ridiculed as ii visionary. Men of science regarded the en- 
terprise with incredulity, and declared that it must fail as a practical 
thing. No steamer, thev said, could survive those terrible storms 
which sweep the Atlantic. The result was, as might have been foreseen, 
and as Mr. Smith himself apprehended, " not a single share was taken." 
Men of capital are slow to embark their means in untried experiments. 
Were it not so, they would soon cease to be capitalists. This habitual 
caution (conservatism) of wealth may retard, but will not prevent the 
birth of discovery and improvement. 

Mr. Smith, nothing daunted, now revised his prospectus, raised the 
capital to £500,000 and named the association The British and Ameri- 
can Steam Navigation Company. But he could get nobody to stand 
as directors. At length, however, after numerous and various 
discouragements, such as would have disheartened ordinary men, a 
company was organized with eleven directors, (Mr. Smith one of them,) 
with Isaac Solby, Esq., for chairman. The capital Avas increased to 
£1,000,000, and subscribers were readily obtained. It was proposed to 
cross the Atlantic in fifteen days. In July, 1836, the company adver- 
tised for proposals, and in September a contract was made with some 
ship builder to construct a steamer of 2016 tons, the keel of which 
was laid April 1st, 1837. It was afterwards called the British Queen. 
But there was delay in getting in the boilers, and the Sirius, of about 
700 tons, was chartered to take her place. The latter sailed from Cork 
on the 4th of April, 1838, and arrived in New York on the morning of 
the 23d. She was the first vessel that steamed her way across the At- 
lantic. It is true, the steamer Savannah, sailing from Savannah, Geor- 
gia, had performed the voyage, in 1819; but steam Avas used only 
when sails could not be employed. As a practical thing, the great 
question of Transatlantic Steam Navigation was solved by the persevering 
efforts and dauntless energy of Mr. Smith. If he is not, in strictness, 
entitled to the name of a discoverer, he merits little less. He saw, 
more clearly than others, the bearing of certain great scientific truths, 
and was the first to turn them to practical account. 

Qq the afternoon of the same day that the Sirius reached New York, 
2S 



434 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

the Great Western, of 1340 tons, arrived ; having sailed from Bristol, 
April 7th. The appearance of these two steamships, at about the same 
time, from another continent, was the cause of the most lively and ex- 
citing demonstrations. Subsequently, (July, 1839,) Mr. Smith himself 
embarked from London, in the British Queen, and was received in New 
York with hearty congratulations. Soon after, he received the honorary 
degree of Doctor of Laws from Yale College, and was made the presi- 
dent of his company. 

Having secured one great object of his ambition, Mr. Smith turned 
his attention in a new direction. He had visited China and made 
himself familiar with the Tea plant, its habits, mode of cultivation, &c. 
He satisfied himself that it would grow and thrive in his native coun- 
try, and resolved to make the experiment. He purchased an extensive 
plantation, in all respects favoiable to his object, in Greenville, South 
Carolina, and began the work, which he prosecuted for the several re- 
maining years of his life. His immediate purpose was to propagate 
and naturalize the plant, and he supposed he had succeeded ; but his 
illness and death, and the subsequent neglect of his plantation, put' an 
end to the hopes of those who had watched, with the greatest interest, 
the progress of the undertaking. He died in Astoria, N. Y., Jan. 23, 
1853, from the effects of an injury which he had received a year before. 
His wife had died previously, (1836.) He had one child, a daughter, 
(now deceased,) who married the Rev. Edward Knight Maddox, .an 
English clergyman of the Church of England. 

Capt. DANIEL SOUTHMAYD 
Was the son of the Rev. John Southmayd, and was born April 19, 
171 7. He received a liberal education at Yale College, and was gradu- 
ated in 1741. On leaving college, he returned to his native village, and 
gave his attention to farming and public business. He became a 
selectman, a moderator of town meetings, a captain of militia, a justice 
of the peace, &c. For eight sessions, beginning with 1751, he was a 
representative to the General Assembly. He was much beloved for the 
qualities of his heart, and greatly respected for soundness of mind and 
force of character. He was vastly popular, and in the opinion of his 
contemporaries and immediate successors, had extraordinary talents. 
Long after his decease, it was a common remark that he was the great- 
est man ever born or reared in Waterbury. At the time of his death, 
Mr. Leavenworth preached a funeral discourse ; and such was the com- 
bined effect of the sermon, the occasion and the theme, that the whole 
congregation were thrown into tears.* 

* B.Bronson's MSS. 



APPENDIX. 435 

Mr. SoiUlimayci died Jan. 12, 1754. He liad married, March 24 
1749, Hannah, daughter of Samuel Brown, who bore him three children! 
The widow married Gen. Spencer of East Haddam. 

SAMUEL W. SOUTHMAYD 

Was the eldest son of Samuel, the grandson of John, (the constable,) and 
the great grandson of the Rev. John Southmayd, and was born in West- 
bury, Sept. 1773. His mother's name was Dorcas Skinner. He made 
choice of the legal profession, pursued his studies at the Law School in 
Litchfield, under Judge Reeve, was admitted to the bar in 1795,* and 
settled in Watertown. He had not the advantages of an academical 
education ; nor had he the disadvantages too often arising from the se- 
clusion, the inexperience, the constraints and artificial methods of a col- 
lege life. He was a self-made man, as all men of unusual intellectual pro- 
portions are. Mere literature comes of good schooling, but not greatness. 

Mr. Southmayd soon rose to eminence in his profession. At the bar, 
he was considered as a man of rare talents. But he was unusually 
modest, and before a court, his diffidence sometimes interfered with his 
success as an advocate. 

Oat of his profession, Mr. Southmayd had, to an unusual degree, the 
respect, the confidence and the friendship of his acquaintance. He was 
known for his equanimity of temper and kindness of heart. To his near 
fri&nds, he was greatly endeared. To his clients, he gave excellent 
counsel. He never encouraged litigation, but used his influence to re- 
store peace when it had been broken, and perpetuate friendship. He 
was much engaged in public life, and represented his town seventeen 
times in the Legislature. Li 1809, he received from Yale College the 
honorary degree of A. M. He died in early manhood, greatly lamented, 
March 4, 1813. The writer well remembers the time when his death 
was announced in Waterbury, and the signs of grief which followed. 

ELI TERRY, 

The fifth in descent from Samuel Terry, who came to some part of 
ancient Springfield, (Mass.,) in 1654, was born in East Windsor, now 
South Windsor, April 13, 1772. Samuel Terry, 1st, married Anne 
Lobdell in 1660, and had a son, Samuel, who settled in Enfield, in this 
State. The latter, Samuel, 2d, married, in 1682, Hannah Morgan, and 
afterwards Martha Credan. By the first marriage, he had Samuel and 
Ebenezer ; and by the second, Benjamin, Ephraim, Jacob, Jonathan and 
Isaac. The son Ephraim (born 1701) married Anne Collins, and had 
Samuel, Ephraim, Nathaniel, Elijah, Eliphalet. Samuel, the third of 

* stated on the authority of the late Asa Bacon of New Haven. 



436 HISTORY OF WATEEBUKY. 

that name, son of Ephraira, was born in 1725, married Mary Kellog, and 
had Samuel, Alice, Mary, Asepli, Rhoda, Levi, Solomon, Sybil, Ezekiel. 
Samuel, 4tli, (born lYSO,) married Iluldali Burnham, and had Eli, Sam- 
uel, Silas, Huldah, Lucy, Anne, Naomi, Horace, Clarissa, Joseph. 

Mr. Terry was instructed in the business of clock making and watch 
repairing by Daniel Burnap* of East Windsor and a Mr. Cheeney of 
East Hartford. He interested himself in the arts and sciences which 
have a bearing on the construction of instruments for measuring time. 
He read the standard works on astronomy, natural philosophy and 
chemistry, (then a new science.) He kept up his acquaintance with 
these subjects till late in life, reading the modern treatises on their first 
appearance. He knew more of them than is usually known by gradu- 
ates of colleges. His attention, however, was principally confined to 
those points which had a practical relation to his business. 

Mr. Terry came to Plymouth (then Watertown, Northbury parish) 
on the first Monday of Sept. 1793, and set up the business of clock mak- 
ing. Around him, Timothy Barnes of Litchfield, South Farms, James 
Harrison of Waterbury, and Gideon Roberts of Bristol, were already 
known as clock makers. The price of a wooden clock, with a long pen- 
dulum, at that time, was £4, or $13.33. If it had a brass dial and a dial 
for seconds and the moon's age, the price was |25. Brass clocks brought 
more — from £10 to £15, without a case. 

Mr. Terry made clocks both of wood and brass in the then ordinary way, hav- 
ing a hand engine for cutting the teeth or cogs of the wheels or pinions, and 
using a foot lathe for doing the turning. It is probable he used a knife, as well 
as many other tools then in use, in doing some part of the work ; but that the 
different parts of the clock " were cut out with the penTcnife " is a tale of many 
years' growth, having no foundation, and ought not to be stereotyped as part of 
the history of clock making in this country. So limited was the demand for 
clocks at this time, and so inadequate his means for making them, that after fin- 
ishing three or four he was obliged to go out with them on horseback, and put 
them up where they had previously been engaged or sold. His usual way was to 
put one forward of the saddle on which he rode, one behind, and one on each 
side in his portmanteau. During this day of small things, however, there was an 
attempt at something more. As early as the year 1797, he procured a patent for 
what he then supposed to be an important improvement in clocks. This patent 
was for a new construction of an equation clock, showing the difference between 
the mean and apparent time. The patent is now in the possession of the writer, 
as executor of his estate. * * * This invention proved to be a useful one to 
him in no way save the discipline he acquired by it ; for the secret in money-mak- 

* Mr. Burnap was the maker of some of the best American clocks. Some of them are met 
with even now, said to be seventy years old, of excellent quality, not inferior to the best English 
clocks, and far better than many that are made at this day, with a more costly exterior. 



APPENDIX. 437 

ing at that time, as well as at the present day, was in not maniif\icturing so ex- 
pensive clocks as this kind must necessarily have been. The greater demand was, 
and still is, for a less costly article. 

The business was prosecuted by him in this old way until about the year 1802 
or 1803, when, finding he could sell his clocks without being an itinerant himself, 
he made provision for manufiicturing them more extensively. He erected a small 
building on a small stream, [half a mile west of the central Congregational church,] 
where he had the benefit of water power and additional machinery for doing some 
portion of the work. At this time, he made arrangements for manufacturing 
clocks by the thousand. It was regarded by some at the time as so extravagant 
an undertaking as to subject him to considerable ridicule. A conceited wag of 
the town offered to become the purchaser of the last one of the thousand, thinking 
he would never be able to finish that number. The clocks, however, were soon 
finished. 

Wo come now to the era when the grist mill, four miles south of the central vil- 
lage, was converted into a factory for making clocks. At this place, Mr. Terry, in 
1807-8, made still more extensive arrangements for the business. He had obtained 
a contract with the Kev. Edward Porter, a Congregational minister and ex-pastor 
of the Congregational church and society of Watei-bury, and Levi Porter, his part- 
ner, for making four thousand clocks. It took a considerable part of the first 
year to fit up the machinery, most of the second year to finish the first thousand 
clocks, and the third to complete the remaining three thousand. The success at- 
tending this enterprise was such as to give a new impulse to clock manufacturing as 
a money-making business, and was so successfully brought to a close that the idea 
of retiring from business was entertained, although he was still a young man. He 
accordingly sold the factory, machinery and other property there, to Messrs. 
Seth Thomas and Silas Hoadley, who had been employed during the three years 
in making these clocks, and then removed to his former residence, in the central 
part of the town. The business had at this time been commenced in Winsted by 
William Hoadley, and had been revived in Bristol, Waterbury and elsewhere. 
Asa Hopkins, a man residing in the parish of Northfield, town of Litchfield, had 
erected a factory on the Naugatuck River. This Mr. Hopkins was a man of con- 
siderable mechanical skill and a successful manufiicturer of clocks. He obtained 
a patent, about the year 1813 or 1814, on a machine for cutting the cogs or teeth 
of the wheels. This invention or improvement was for the use and introduction 
of three arboi's or mandrels, by means of which one row of teeth on a number of 
wheels was finished by one operation — a machine still in use, although superseded 
at the time by the construction of an engine by Mr. Terry, with only one mandrel, 
which was used for many years afterwards, and has not been abandoned to this day. 
Messrs. Thomas and Hoadley prosecuted the business as partners for three years 
or more, when they dissolved, Mr. Hoadley retaining the factory and other proper- 
ty, and which he still improves. Heman Clark, who had been an apprentice to 
Mr. Terry, built a factory about the year 1811, in the place now known as Ply- 
mouth Hollow, where he pursued the business two or more years. Mr. Thomas 
purchased this factory, Dec. 1813, where he again embarked in this calling, and 
where he has been eminently successful in making clocks, and is at this time, at an 
advanced age in life, extensively engaged in this and other business. Mr. Hoadley 
has done less business, but has been successful, and more so than many who subse- 
quently engaged in this occupation. 



438 HISTORY OF WATEEBUEY. 

[Mr. Terry commenced manufacturing on the Naugatuck iu 1813 and 1814, at 
the old place known as " Sutliff' s Mills," but owned by Miles Morse at the time of 
the purchase.] 

In 1814, the short or shelf clock was devised, made and introduced by Mr. 
Terry, who had then removed to a site on the Naugatuck River, where he com- 
menced the making of these clocks ; Mr. Thomas being then engaged in making 
the common or old-fashioned clocks, and also, to some extent, the new slielf or 
mantle clock. A patent was procured for this improvement in clocks, by Mr. 
Terry in 1816. For a few years from this time, the old or long clocks were made 
by Mr. Thomas and others, but gradually the sales declined, as the demand in- 
creased for the others. The patent was a source of no little trouble, strife and 
litigation. Patents were not unfrequently granted at that time, with very imper- 
fect specifications, the inventors not being aware of the importance of an exact 
definition of their claims, independent of a general description. An inventor, 
however meritorious, could be easily deprived of his just rights. A patentee needed 
a more thorough acquaintance with the laws relating to patents than with anything 
pertaining to the art or improvement which might be the subject of his patent. 
So far as the writer has any means of judging, the remark holds true to this day. 
The less meritorious are as likely to derive pecuniary benefit from a monopoly 
of this kind, as the most deserving inventor. That day of strife, however, has 
gone by. The writer was familiar with all the difficulties and conflicting claims 
of the contending parties, and knows full well that the improvements made 
by Mr. Terry, at this time and subsequently, marked distinctly a new era in 
clock making, and laid the foundation for a lucrative business by which many 
have gained their thousands, however unwilling they may be to acknowledge it. 
Some of the important improvements which should have been secured by this 
patent, are in use to this day, and cannot be dispensed with in the making 
of low-priced clocks, nor indeed any convenient mantle clock. The mode or 
method of escapement universally adopted at this time, in all common shelf 
clocks, was his plan or invention. The construction of the clock so as to allow 
the carrying of the weights each side of the movement or wheels of the clock to 
the top of the case, bringing the pendulum, crown-wheel and verge in front, the 
dial-wheels between the plates, making the pendulum accessible by removing the 
dial only, was his arrangement and invention. These things cannot now be dis- 
pensed with, even in the clocks driven by a spring, as the motive power, much 
more in those carried by weights. Millions of them have been made during the 
last ten years, the precise model in these particulars of the one now in possession 
of one of his family, and made by him in 1814. No clock, either in this or any 
foreign country, was made previous to this time with the weights carried 
each side the movement the whole length of the case ; the dial-wheels inside the 
plates, the pendulum, crown-wheel, verge or pallet together in front of the other 
wheels. This mode of escapement is one of great value still, and will probably 
never be abandoned, so long as low-priced clocks are needed. It is true, time- 
pieces of a small size were imported many years before. It is also true that time- 
pieces were made in Boston (Willard's time-pieces) and are made to this day with 
one weight back of the movement, and moving below it ; but this and the im- 
ported smaller sized article, were mere time-pieces, that is, were destitute of the 
parts striking the hour, and had none of the tliree peculiarities above mentioned, 
so universally adopted at this time. 



APPENDIX. 439 

Chaiincey Jerome commenced his career in clock making at a later period, 
gaining his first knowledge of tlie business under the tuition and encouragement 
of Mr. Terry, He commenced some part of the clock business in Plymouth, as 
early as the year 1821. He afterwards removed to Bristol, where he embarked 
in making clocks, introducing clock-cases of different sizes, and clocks adapted to 
the new form of cases made. At a still later period, and according to the recol- 
lection of the writer, not far from the year 1837, he introduced or did much 
towards the introduction of the most common form of the brass clock now in 
vogue. The pinion leaves or cogs are made of round wire. This is a cheap way 
of making pinions, never before practiced, whatever may be said as to the quality 
and durability of the clock so made. The present form of the brass count-wheel, 
so divided as to allow the stop-dog to drop between the teeth, and being driven 
by a pin in the fly-wheel, Mr. Jerome claims as his improvement, for which he 
obtained letters patent. 

In justice, however, it should here be stated, that certain individuals anterior to, 
and others soon after the period Mr. Jerome commenced business in Bristol, em- 
barked in this occupation, to wit : Mark Leavenworth, of AVaterbury ; Samuel Terry 
(afterwards of Bristol) and Eli Terry, Jr., of Plymouth; ChaunceyBoardman, Ives 
Brewster and others of Bristol ; filling the market t\ith a great variety of clocks, 
of an exterior in every conceivable form, until some of those who had immedi- 
ately succeeded Mr. Terry were ready to abandon the business, and did so on 
account of the very reduced price of clocks, and the interminable credit it was 
then customary to give. The writer was one of this number, who had until 
then very little acquaintance with any other business, having been a witness 
to all the improvements in clocks and the machinery for making the same, from 
the time the shelf-clock was first introduced, in the year 1814, to the period in 
question, or the year 1836. 

[For many years before his death, Mr. Terry was not actively engaged in busi- 
ness. Still, he never abandoned the work-shop. He occupied himself in making 
now and then a] church clock, a few watch regulators, and the like. The church 
clocks were made in three parts, independent or nearly so, the connection between 
each being such as not to be injuriously affected by the other. The time-keeping 
part was of the ordinary siz«, and moved by a separate weight. The striking 
part was moved by one large weight, and the dial-wheels by another, while that 
of the time-keeping part weighed only three or four pounds. The dial wheels, 
hands or pointers, moved only once in a minute. Church clocks constructed in 
this way were thus rendered as perfect time-keepers, and were as little afi'ected by 
wind or storm, as any house-clock or watch-regulator could be. These clocks 
were made with compensation pendulum rods of his own design, and the es- 
capement after a model of his own. During these years of comparative leisure, 
his time was mostly spent in making this description of clocks, chiefly in reference 
to accuracy as time-keepers, making a variety of regulators with new forms of 
escapements and compensation rods. No year elapsed up to the time of his last 
sickness, without some new design in clock-work, specimens of which are now 
abundant. 

[By industry and prudent management, Mr. Terry accumulated a large property. 
He distributed to] his family, and gave away to difierent objects during the latter 
part of his life, not less than one hundred thousand dollars, retaining at the same 



44:0 HISTOEY OF WATERBUKT. 

time an amount of available property sufficient to afford him an annual income of 
three thousand dollars. This he regarded as sufficient for all his temporal wants. 
When commencing business in early life, he never once indulged the thought of 
accumulating one-tenth the amount. 

It is unnecessary to add much in regard to clock-making, as it is prosecuted at 
this time. It is scarcely to be credited that half a million of shelf-clocks are now 
annually made in Connecticut, and places not far distant. We have reason, how- 
ever, to believe that this estimate is not an exaggeration. 

The improvements in machinery, and the skill attained in manufacturing, gradu- 
ally reduced the price of clocks. Thus it is, that a brass clock which formerly 
cost from $38 to $80 is superseded by a more neat and convenient shelf-clock, 
and afforded and sold at the very low price of $5, $3 or $2. Some may suppose 
these clocks to be a poorer article and not as durable. This may be true of many 
of the clocks now manufactured ; still it is equally true, that a clock as good and 
durable can now be made and sold at a profit, at these low prices. What is true 
of the entire clock, is well illustrated by the reduction in price of several of 
the separate parts of the clock, as now made. Such parts as at one time cost ten, 
twenty, or even fifty cents, to each clock, are now manufactured for one-fourth 
the amount, and in some instances for less than a tithe of what they formerly 
cost. Spring clocks are made more extensively than they were a few years since. 
The springs for one clock that cost, only six or seven years ago, seventy-five 
cents or more, are now made and sold for eight and seven cents. It is proper to 
add here, that this description of springs cannot be imported, nor is the secret of 
manufacturing them known in foreign countries.* 

Mr. Terry had not the advantages of an early education, but lie was 
a man of strong mind and sound judgment. Though his reading did 
not tate a wide range, he understood his business thoroughly. He 
was a plain, practical man, and esteemed that knowledge of most ac- 
count which had a direct bearing on the concerns of life, or which, in 
other words, bore fruit. His success in the manufacture of clocks 
when the business was in its infancy, and the important mechanical im- 
provements which he introduced, demonstrate his enterprise, his sagacity, 
liis inventive genius. Success as the result of the skillful use of means 
and the powers of nature — persistant success — always proves ability. 
Judged by this standard, Mr. Terry was no ordinary man. He died, 
with a character for strict integrity, late in February, 1852. His man- 
ners were blunt, his ways peculiar and original, but he had the confi- 
dence, respect and esteem of a large circle of acquaintances. 



* Exti-aeted from a Review of Dr. Alcott's History of Clock-making, by Henry Terry, \i\ih- 
Ushed in the Waterbury American, June 10, 1853. 



APPENDIX. 441 



JOHN TRUMBULL, LL. D., 

The only son of Rev. John Trumbull, was born in Westbury, April 13, 
(oM style,) 1750.* Being of a delicate and sickly constitution, he was 
the favorite of his mother. She learned liim to read, and also taught 
him all the songs, hymns, and other verses with which she was ac- 
quainted. • He discovered an extraordinary memory for this last exercise, 
and even took to composing verses himself. Unknown to any body 
but his mother, he began the study of the Latin language, and soon 
made great proficiency. During all this time, however, he was a boy 
and liked boyish sports. Mr. Trumbull smoked and raised his own 
tobacco. One day, he set his son to suckering the plant. The latter 
filled his hat with the unsightly worms that infest the tobacco, and 
then persuaded his little sister that he had found a hen's nest on the 
scaftbld in the barn, and could not get down with the eggs. " Parad- 
ing her below with her apron spread, he let fall the contents of his hat. 
She fainted. The father was soon on the spot, and exclaimed, 'now, 
John, you shall be whipped.' * Father, father,' cried the excited ur- 
chin, * I deserve it, but I beg you will not whip me till Madam Pritchett 
is gone.' "f After a course of preparatory study, under the direction of 
his father, the two started on a horse for Yale College, the boy, of 
course, behind. The latter, says the Connecticut Gazette of Sept. 24, 
1757, "passed a good examination, although but little more than seven 
years of age ; but on account of his youth his father does not intend 
he shall at present continue at college." After an interval of six years 
spent in reading Latin, Greek and English authors, and in writing 
verses, he returned to New Haven, and received the degree of Bachelor 
of Arts in 1767. He remained as a resident graduate for three years 
longer, devoting his time to polite literature, and sometimes to less 
dignified occupations.^ In 1771, he was appointed a tutor, which posi- 
tion he held two years. It was during his connection with Yale Col- 
lege that his acquaintance with Dwight and Humphreys commenced. 

In 1772, Trumbull published the firrt part of " The Progress of Dull- 
ness ;" and in the following year, two other parts. The object of the 



* His birth is not recorded in Waterbury. 

t Dr. McEwen's Discourse, published in the proceedings at the Centennial Anniversary in 
Litchfield, 1852. 

$ " After he had graduated, at the age of sixteen, [seventeen,] being small of stature, he was 
sometimes seen seated in the road with other children, scraping up sand-hills with his hands." 
(Dr. McEwen's Discourse.) 



442 IIISTOKY OF WATEKBUET. 

poem was the prevalent metliod of education, which the author cen- 
sured and ridiculed. 

Mr. Trumbull was admitted to the bar in Connecticut, in November, 
1773, and immediately went to Boston and entered the office of John 
Adams, afterwards President Adams. Here he studied law, and in his 
leisure hours wrote essays on political subjects for the gazettes. He be- 
came an ardent AVhig; published without his name, his "Elegy on the 
Times ;" returned to New Haven, and commenced the practice of his 
profession in 1114. Here, though fully occupied as a lawyer, he found 
time, at the sohcitation of certain members of the Continental Congress 
and other Whig friends, to compose and publish the first part of his 
most celebrated work, "McFingal," a burlesque epic poem. He de- 
signed it as a satire on English ofiicials and Tories in general, and to 
help prepare the way for the independence of the Colonies. His 
business in New Haven w-as broken up by the war, and an invasion of 
the town was almost constantly apprehended He, therefore, removed 
in May, 1777, to his native town, where he remained about four years. 
Here, he appears to have lived in the house with his father, and to have 
continued, to some extent, the practice of his profession. He had 
previously married (Nov. 1776) the daughter of Col. Leverett Hubbard 
of New Haven. 

In 1779, he was chosen by the town one of the "inspecting com- 
mittee," whose special business it was to look after the Tories and 
all " inimical persons," to discover their plots, and to inform against 
them. But, at length, his health gave way, owing partly to the 
fatigue and exposure of attending the courts at a distance ; and in 
June, 1781, with the hope of improving his chances of recovery, he 
removed to Hartford. Soon after, he finished, and in 1782, publish- 
ed, an edition of his McFingal, some part of it, tradition says, being 
written in the old Trumbull house in Watertovvn. He also became a 
member of a literary club, to which Col. Humphreys, Barlow and Dr. 
Lemuel Hopkins belonged, which met weekly for the discussion of in- 
teresting questions, political, philosophical and literary. They were 
called the " Hartford wits," and after the peace in l78Ji, i")ublished a 
series of essays, called " American Antiquities," pretending to be ex- 
tracts from an ancient poem which had been disinterred, entitled " The 
Arnachiad." These papers first appeared in the Hartford and New 
Haven gazettes, and were widely circulated. They were intended to 
check the progress of disorder and a sceptical philosophy, and help 
prepare the way for a more stable government. 

In 1789, Mr. Trumbull was appointed State's attorney for the County 



APPENDIX. 443 

of Hartford, and in 1*792, represented the town of Eartford in the Legis- 
lature. Ilis impaired health compelled him to resign the oflice of 
State's attorney in 1795, and to retire wholly from business. A severe 
and dangerous course of sickness followed, in JS'ovember, 1798. At 
length, however, he was able to resume his professional life, and in May, 
1800, was elected, a second time. State representative. In the follow- 
ing year, he was chosen a judge of the Superior Court of the State, and 
in 1808, was made a judge of the Supreme Court of Errors. He re- 
mained in office till he was "rotated" out of it. May, 1819, a new con- 
stitution having been formed and a new party installed in power. In 
1818, he received from Yale College the degree of LL. D. 

Judge Trumbull was esteemed a good but not a very learned or 
profound judge. The dignity of his office did not always repress 
his wit or his satirical propensities. An advocate from the eastern 
part of the State made a very boisterous speech. After it was over, in 
some miscellaneous conversation, he remarked to the court that his case 
was a hard one, as the wind and tide were against him. " I don't know 
how it is with the tide, but the wind, sir, seems to be in your favor," re- 
plied the judge. 

Judge Trumbull remained in Hartford till 1825, when he removed to 
Detroit, and resided for his remaining life in the family of his daughter, 
the wife of Hon. William Woodbridge. He died in May, 1831. 

BENONI UPSON, D, D. 

He was the eldest son of Thomas, the grandson of Thomas and the 
great grandson of Stephen Upson. He was born in the part of Water- 
bury since called Wolcott, Feb. 14, 1750 ; was graduated at Yale Col- 
lege in 1776, and became the settled minister of Kensington. In 1809, 
he was made a Fellow of Yale College, became a member of the Pru- 
dential Committee, and in 1817 received the degree of D. D. His 
death took place Nov. 13, 1826. 

Dr. Upson was considered as a prudent, safe man, without brilliancy. 
He was known for his urbanity and hospitality. 

STEPHEN UPSON 

Was the only son and child (except one that died in early infancy) of 
Capt. Benjamin Upson. He was the grandson of Benjamin, the great 
grandson of Stephen and the. great, great grandson of Stephen Upson, 
the original planter, and was born in the "old Clark house," June 12, 
1 783. His mother, before marriage, was Mary Clark, the widow of Thomas 
Clark, (2d,) and daughter of Daniel Hine of New Milford. He pursued 



444: HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

his classical studies, for a time, with Rev, Mr. Woodward of Wolcott. 
He also studied with Thomas Lewis of Salem society, aud entered Yale 
College. While he was a student there, the sea of politics raged vehe- 
mently. Those in authority in College, and particularly the President, 
were strong Federalists; and it was considered rash for a young man, 
who expected college honors, to avow republican opinions. Before the 
close of his junior year, young Upson embraced these opinions. As he 
had already received many honors and was a candidate for more, his 
father became alarmed, and remonstrated with him by letter, telling him 
how much he was in the power of the President, and how unwise it was 
to adopt adverse political sentiments. The son defended his views at 
length, also by letter. One of his epistles is before me. In it, he ac- 
knowledges his perilous condition, but asks — "Do you wish me to dis- 
semble the real sentiments of my heart for the paltry reward of a collegi- 
ate honor ?" &c. Both the correspondents, probably, exaggerated the 
danger of holding the proscribed opinions. 

Mr. Upson graduated in 1804, having for classmates John C. Cal- 
houn and other distinguished men. He commenced the study of law 
with Judge Chauncey of New Haven ; but feeling the necessity of earn- 
ing something for himself, he left in March, 1805, and went to Virginia. 
In Richmond, he met his classmate and room-mate. Royal R. Hinman, 
who had taken charge of an academy in that city. The two went to- 
gether a few miles north, to visit Gen. Guerrant, who had advertised for 
a family teacher. Upson made an engagement for six months, and en- 
tered upon his duties April 22d. He was to receive £50 and board, 
washing, lodging, &c. When the six months had expired, he entered the 
family of Nathaniel Pope, Esq., a distinguished lawyer of Hanover, (about 
twenty miles from Richmond,) as teacher. He engaged for one year, 
and was to receive £90 and board, &c. ; and also legal instruction and the 
use of law books. Before the time had expired, Mr, Pope was killed in 
a duel, and Upson, at the solicitation of his friend and college mate, 
Addin Lewis, then living there, went to Georgia, and entered the law 
office of the celebrated William H. Crawford. He was admitted to the 
bar and became Mr. Crawford's law partner. His connection secured 
him immediate business, and he rose rapidly to the highest eminence in 
his profession. 

Mr. Upson interested himself in the politics of his adopted State. 
As early as 1808, he wrote a series of articles which were published in 
the Georgia Express, and republished in the Savannah Advertiser, on the 
stay laws just enacted in that State, (made necessary, it was claimed, 
by the Embargo laws of Congress,) which attracted much notice at the 



APPENDIX. 445 

time. They were entitled " An enquiry into the constitutionality, the 
necessity, the justice, and policy of the Embaiigo lately laid upon Law 
in this State," and were signed "Lucius." They denounced, in un- 
measured terms, the obnoxious laws and the men who concocted them, 
and evince a good deal of legal knowledge and argumentative force for 
so young a man. In 1813, alluding to some recent acts of the Legisla- 
ture of Georgia, he said, in a letter to his father, that the country " ap- 
peared to be in a rapid progression from a representative republic down 
the grades of Democracy to a perfect state of anarchy." 

In the latter part of his life, Mr. Upson, having accumulated consider- 
able property, purchased a plantation and cultivated wheat, oats, corn, 
&c., and was intending, had life been spared, to raise cotton. He did 
not, however, neglect his profession. Some attention he continued to 
give to politics, and became, as I gather from his letters, a member of 
the Legislature. When his old friend, Mr. Crawford, came to be talked 
of, and was finally nominated, for the presidency, he gave him his 
hearty support. To this course he was prompted, not only by friend- 
ship and a sense of gratitude, but by a belief that Mr. C. was "eminently 
qualified for the office." Could he see him elected, he declared, he 
should " be perfectly satisfied, without further interference in political 
matters." He became famous for his political harangues, and had the 
entire confidence of the Democratic party ; and at the critical peiiod of 
his death, it is stated that his party had settled the point that he should 
be the next senator in Congress, to be chosen by the Legislature then 
about to meet. 

Mr. Upson married, Nov. 12, 1813, Hannah Cummins, the youngest 
daughter of Rev. Francis Cummins of Georgia. They had five chil- 
dren, all of whom survived their father, viz, Francis Lewis, (for a time 
a member of the Law School of New Haven,) Mary Elizabeth, Sarah 
Eveline, William Benjamin and Stephen. All are believed to be now 
living, except Wm. Benjamin. Stephen, the youngest, (born Nov. 8, 
1823,) graduated at Yale College in 1841, and is now, or was recently, 
in New York. The mother, after she became a widow, married Elijah 
Boardman of Connecticut, (then of New York.) After Mr. Boardman's 
decease, she returned to the South, and is still living. 

Mr. Upson resided at Lexington, Oglethorpe County, Ga., and died 
August 3, 1824, aged 41. He had acquired more reputation as an ad- 
vocate, perhaps, than any other man in the State, of his age. "Had he 
lived ten years longer," says one of his admirers, " he would have been 
the great man of the South."" He was a fine scholar, an arduous stu- 
dent of law, an elegant and persuasive speaker, and a high minded, 



446 HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 

honorable man. He had, too, a large and kind heart. This appears in 
his letters to his parents, and to his sister who lived with them. They 
are full of anxious solicitude and tender feeling. After the decease of 
his mother, he, for the first time since he left Connecticut in 1805, 
visited his father, then (July, 1821) somewhat infirm with age, 
and made the most liberal provision for his permanent comfort. 
He had previously made his friends at home, to a large extent, the 
sharers of his prosperity. While he was an affectionate son and broth- 
er, he won the esteem and the confidence of all who knew him. His 
form was good, his person somewhat tall and slender, his dress and 
mode of living plain, and his manners gentlemanly and agreeable. 

Capt. JOHN W ELTON. 

He was the eldest son of Richard Welton, and was born Jan, 1, 172*7. 
He was a farmer of Buckshill, and had only the ordinary advantages of an 
English education ; still he possessed a strong mind and exerted a wide 
influence. From an early period, he was a prominent member of the 
Episcopal society and held the office of senior warden. In the begin- 
ing of-the Revolutionary war, he espoused the patriotic cause, became a 
moderate Whig, and was confided in by the friends of colonial inde- 
pendence. In 1784, he was first appointed a justice of the peace. He 
was a useful and much respected member of the Legislature fifteen ses- 
sions, beginning in 1784. It is stated that when he arose to address 
the house, few men were listened to with more deference. 

Esquire John Welton, as he was called, died Jan. 22, 1816. 

Rev. benjamin WOOSTER 
Was the third son and fourth child of Wait and Phebe (Warner) 
Wooster, and was born in Waterbury, Oct. 29, 1762. He was a sol- 
dier of the Revolution, and was taxed as a minor in the first society in 
1782. Subsequently, he entered Yale College and graduated in 17&0,. 
His theological studies were pursued under the Rev. Dr. Edwards of 
New Haven. After being licensed to preach, he occupied himself for 
a time in missionary labor ; but in 1797, was ordained pastor of the 
church in Cornwall, Vt. He gave up his charge in 1802, and spent 
three years in the service of the Berkshire Missionary Society. On the 
24th day of July, 1805, he was installed in Fairfield, Vt., where he 
labored assiduously till bodily infirmity, in 1833, compelled him to de- 
sist. During this time, he was once a representative to the General 
Assembly of the State, and twice a member of the " Septennial Conven- 
tion convened by the Board of Censors." He died, says Dr. Sprague's 
'•Annuals," at St. Albans, Vt., in February, 1843. 



APPENDIX. 447 



^^l here, contrary to my original purpose, introduce a few names of persons 
still living. The A-ery brief sketch of Mr. Israel Holmes has been furnished by a 
friend of that gentleman. 



AMOS BRONSON ALCOTT, 
Son of Joseph C. Alcott, was born in Wolcott, Nov. 29, 1*799. He is 
a well known literary man, lecturer and "conversational teacher." 
His name is identified with what is termed the transcendental philoso- 
phy in Massachusetts. He is the friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson, and 
has written some books on human culture and his favorite philosophy, 
Boston has hitherto been his home. 

Mr. Alcott was married, May 23, 1830, to Abigail, youngest daughter 
of Col. Joseph May of Boston. Samuel Sewall, chief justice of the Mas- 
sachusetts Colony from I7l8 to 1728, was the ancestor of his wife's 
mother, Dorothy Sewall. 

WILLIAM A. ALCOTT, M. D., 

Son of Obed Alcott, was born in Wolcott, Oct. 6, 1798. In boyhood, 
he attended the common district schools, and finally, a private school 
for two terms. Afterwards, he taught a district school for several 
years. Finally, he commenced the study of medicine, and after three 
years, or in 1826, received at New Haven a license to practice. He 
then returned to teaching, but his health breaking down, he became a 
practitioner of medicine in Wolcott till 1829. Subsequently, he connect- 
ed himself with Mr, Woodbridge, the geoprapher, removed to Boston, and 
devoted his time to the cause of education and literaiy pursuits. In 
1832 he went to Boston and soon became the editor of the " Annals of 
Education," &c. 

Dr. Alcott is the author of many books on education, temperance, 
moral reform, domestic medicine, &c. Among these are the Young 
Man's Guide, House I Live in, The Young Mother, The Young Wife, 
The Young Husband, Yoimg Woman's Guide, The Young House- 
keeper and Mother's Medical Guide. He has also written largely for 
the periodicals, and has edited several beside the Annals — Parley's Mag- 
azine, Library of Health, &c. He has also lectured on his favorite topics 
in several of the States. Notwithstanding his severe labors, he is, in his 
own language, " a water-drinker and a bread and fruit-eater, eschewing 
all seasonings and mi.Ked dishes, and rejecting all medicines." He 
is now, he continues, "in his thirty-second year of respite from the 
grave by consumption, of which he has always had a dread, with which 
he is still threatened, and to which some day he will fall a victim." 



448 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 



Dea. aarox benedict, 

The son of Aaron and Esther (Trowbridge) Benedict, was born in that 
part of Waterbury which is now Middlebury, Aug. 9, 1785. At an early 
age he became a member of Yale College, but after eighteen months 
was obliged to leave on account of ill health. He removed to Wa- 
terbury (first society) in 1804, and became a partner of Joseph Burton 
in mercantile business, which they carried on, without much profit, till 
1812. He tlien commenced the manufacture of bone and ivory but- 
tons ; but this business, after several years' trial, not proving satisfactory, 
be became connected in 1823, with Bennet Bronson of Waterbury, and 
Nathan Smith, William Bristol and David C. DeForest of New 
Haven, in the gilt button business, under the partnership name of " A. 
Benedict." He was the general partner and had the exclusive manage- 
ment of the concern. The prosperity of Waterbury, as a manufactur- 
ing town, may be said to date from the formation of tliis company ; 
though the gilt button business had been established, and carried on to a 
limited extent for many years. The capital was |6,500. Many dis- 
couragements, at first, embarrassed the enterprise; but^ perseverance ■ 
finally secured success. Skillful artisans were obtained from England. 
It was the first aim to make a good article, and tbe second, to obtain 
good prices. Buttons, gilded with something better than " dandelion 
water," were first sent to market in the spring of 1824. Goods of the 
value of about $5,000 were made during^^this year. Soon after the for- 
mation of the company, Benjamin DeForest of Watertown and Alfred 
Piatt of Waterbury became members by purchase. The partnership 
was renewed in 1827, and the capital increased to $13,000. 

The second partnership expired Feb. 2d, 1829, when a new one was 
formed under the name of "Benedict & Coe," with a capital of $20,000. 
Mr. Benedict's partners were Israel Coe, Bennet Bronson, Benjamin De- 
Forest, Alfred Piatt and James Croft. In addition to their old business, 
they dealt in merchandise, and rolled brass for market. They had pre- 
viously, as early as 1825, made brass for their own use and sold some, 
but this was not then considered an important branch of their business. 
Thenceforth it became so. 

On the 10th day of February, 1834, the copartnership of Benedict 
& Coe expired, and a new one, with a capital of $40,000, was enter- 
ed into, with the name of Benedict & Burnham. The partners were 
Aaron Benedict, Gordon W. Burnham, Bennet Bronson, Alfred Piatt, 
Henry Bronson, Samuel S. DeForest and John DeForest. The two 



APPENDIX. 449 

first were the general partners and agents of the company. Mr. Bene- 
dict continued to have charge of the business at home, which was pros- 
ecuted with great energy and success for the next three years. By his 
prudence and skill, the company was carried through the financial 
crisis of 1837, without dishonor or serious loss. The copartnership was 
renewed March 16, 1838, with a capital of $71,000, and again, March 
11, 184:0, with a capital of $100,000. Previous to this last date, or in 
1839, the second financial crisis came on, which was followed by a pro- 
longed depression in busines-i. The company made nothing for three 
years. 

On the 14th day of Jan. 1843, the company of Benedict &; Burn- 
ham gave place to the " Benedict & Burnham Manufacturhig Com- 
pany," a joint stock corporation, the first formed in the town, under 
which name the business is still carried on. The capital was $100,000. 
Mr. Benedict was chosen president, which office he has held ever 
since. In 1848, the capital was augmented to $200,000, and in 1856, 
to $400,000. The business has been regularly and constantly increas- 
ing, (with slight exceptions,) from 1824 to the present time. The mak- 
ing of German silver became an important branch of it, at an early 
period. So did the drawing of brass and copper wire. The company 
now manufactures almost exclusively, sheet brass, German silver, brass 
and copper wire, and brass and copper tubing. A business which was 
started thirty-two years ago, on a most diminutive scale, has now be- 
come the most important in the place, employing six first class mills 
and over $1,500,000 capital. 

The Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company lias from time 
to time become the parent of several other joint stock companies. 
AVhenever a branch of its business could be better carried on by itself, 
the property necessary for its prosecution was detached, and distributed 
as a dividend to its stockholders, in the form of stock in a new com- 
pany. Thus originated, in 1846, the American Pin Company, with 
$50,000 capital,* (afterwards increased to $100,000;) in 1849, the 
Waterbury Button Company, with a capital of $30,000, (afterwards in- 
creased to $45,000 ;) in 1852, the Benedict & Scovill Corapany,f (a 
mercantile corporation,) with a capital of $50,000, (now, 60,000 ;) and 
in 1857, the Waterbury Clock Company, with $60,000 capital. 

Mr. Benedict has twice represented the town in the General Assembly, 
and in the spring of the present year, (1857,) was a candidate for State 

* The partners in the firm of Brown & Elton took one half the stock in this company. They 
had previously been interested in the business, 
t The stockholders of the Scovill Manufacturing Co. took one third of the stock. 

29 



450 HISTOBY OF WATERBUKY. 

senator ; but, as a common thing, be bas peremf>torily declined political 
office. For many years, be bas been a deacon of tbe 1st Congregational 
cbiircb of Waterbury. He is widely known for integrity, soundness of 
judgment and strong common sense ; for bis matured opinions and wise, 
considerate action, under all circumstances. Tbougb now over seventy 
years of age, be is still vigorous, and attends to bis business duties witb 
as mucb regularity as be did tbirty years ago. 

BIOGEAPHICAL MEMOIR OF ALVAN BRONSON ; 

PEEPAKED BY HIMSELF, 

I am the second son of Josiab and Tabitba (Tuttle) Bronson, and was 
born in Waterbury, (since Middlebury,) May 19, 1783. As soon as I 
could be made useful, I worked on tbe farm in tbe summer, attending a 
district school in tbe winter. When thirteen years old, I spent twelve 
months in the family of Capt. Isaac Bronson, being engaged as shop or 
errand boy in a small country store. About this time, I became inter- 
ested in a small juvenile library, and contracted a fondness for books. I 
was kindly treated by Capt. Bronson, who by the way, tbougb in bum- 
ble bfe, was no ordinary man. He bad a strong mind, well cultivated 
for bis station ; was benevolent, ardent, eloquent. In politics, he was a 
warm Federalist. I recollect bearing him say, witb bands clenched, 
bis massive, bony figure drawn up to its full height, bis musical, bell- 
toned voice pitched to its highest key, " I solemnly declare I would 
rather be taxed a yoke of fat oxen every year than see the nation dis- 
graced by this paltry gun-boat system." Hammond, in his Political 
History of New York, bas alluded to my Federal propensities. Per- 
haps they may be traced partly to this good old man. 

For the greatest part of the next two or three years, I was employed 
as youngest clerk in tbe store of Mr. Terrell, of Salem. Afterwards, 
for one quarter, I attended tbe select school of Esquire Morris, of 
Litchfield, South Farms, and completed my education by spending a 
year with our clergyman, the Rev. Ira Hart. Thus qualified, and be- 
fore I was seventeen, I taught a district school in Woodbridge three 
months. 

About this time, I accepted a clerkship in the store of Reuben Rice, 
of New Haven, who bad been the bead clerk of Tyrrel, where I re- 
mained about eighteen months. At the end of this period, I and Jo- 
seph N. Clark formed a connection witb Isaac & Kneeland Townsend, 
merchant tailors, and Gilbert & Townsend, West India shippers, and 



APPENDIX. 451 

went into business on Long Wharf. Clark managed the sailors' cloth- 
ing department, while I was the merchant. The other partners fur- 
nished the capital. The business was extensive, arduous and prosper- 
ous ; but after three or four years, Mr. Clark and I declined to go on 
Avith it, on the original footing. 

In connection with Mr. Clark and our former patrons, Gilbert & 
Townsend, I then undertook an adventure for the winter. I proceeded 
to Charleston, S. C, with Gilbert & Townsend's schooner, the Ante- 
lope, chartered and loaded on joint account, with northern products. 
We encountered a three days' gale, and were wrecked on Portsmouth 
Beach, between capes Fear and Hatteras. Having paid salvage to the 
wreckers and observed all the forms due to the underwriters, I purchased 
at the sale of the wreck, and that of three others resulting from the same 
gale, a large amount of materials, obtained a master builder, and con- 
structed a brig and schooner suited to the West India trade. The en- 
terprise consumed two years. The schooner made several voyages. 
The brig was completed and loaded just in season to be overtaken by 
Mr. Jefferson's embargo, which changed her destination from a West 
India to a Connecticut voyage. The adventure was then' closed. Mr. 
Clark and myself took the schooner, and Gilbert & Townsend the brig. 

After the embargo was repealed, I made a voyage to the West Indies, 
as supercargo of the brig Julius Caesar, On my return, I brought 
home the first intelligence of the capture by the French of my schooner 
(Philander) under Bonaparte's Berlin and Milan decrees, for having 
been bound to a British port. She was condemned, sold and bought in 
by the captain ; and afterwards captured, under the British orders in 
council, for having been to a French 2^ort, and again condemned ! 

Jacob Townsend, of the house of Gilbert & Townsend, now proposed 
to me to unite with him in the coasting trade of the lakes. I assented, 
and with Shelden Thompson, shipmaster, and our ship-carpenters, pro- 
ceeded to Oswego River. At the falls, we cut the frame for a schooner 
of one hundred and odd tons, on the ground now occupied by the 
thriving village of Fulton, I then visited, for the first time, the hamlet 
of Oswego, my future home, which has swelled from 300 to a city of 
16,000 inhabitants. Thompson pr6ceeded to Lake Erie to provide mate- 
rials for another vessel on the Niagara River. 

With our joint capital of |1 4,000, we built two vessels, established a 
store at Oswego and another at Lewiston, and in connexion with Gene- 
ral and Judge Porter and Major Barton, (who held from the State a 
lease of the Niagara portage,) we conducted a major part of the com- 
merce of the lakes for the two years preceding the war with Great Brit- 
ain. In 1812, we found we had escaped Bonaparte's decrees and the 



452 HISTORY OF WATEKBURT. 

British orders in council, to be involved in a vindictive and desolating 
war. Our business was broken up ; our homes were invaded, plundered 
and burned. 

I was appointed military and naval store keeper at Oswego. When 
the port was threatened in 1814, the entire disposition of the public 
stores was committed to my discretion ; and after the capture, I received 
the thanks of the quarter-master's department for the skill and success 
with which I had discharged the trust. I was myself captured with the 
remnant of stores on hand, nor was the manner over-gracious. Com- 
modore Sir James Yeo asked me to furnish pilots to conduct his boats 
out of the harbor to the fleet when laden with salt and military stores. 
I stated that our inhabitants had left the village and I had no one un- 
der my command. He replied with an oath, "Then go yourself, and 
if vou get the boats aground, I'll shoot you," putting his hand on 
my shoulder and conducting me to a boat. Col. Harvey, on the bank 
above, called out to Sir James, " that is the public-store keeper, and 
may be useful to us," when he called me back. Subsequently, he said to 
me, " You are our prisoner. I shall expect you to inform me what 
public stores are on hand, what have been secreted in the neighborhood, 
if any, and what have been deposited in the rear of the port." I re- 
plied I could not give the information, my books and papers having 
been sent away for safety ; nor would it be proper, if I could. He re- 
joined that he had nothing to say about my duty ; that if I gave him 
this information correctly, he should allow me to remain ; if not, he 
should send me to Quebec. He gave me leave to take my trunk, and 
ordered me on board his flag-ship, the Prince Regent, a fine frigate. I 
found my wardrobe and books plundered to the last article. After secur- 
ing their plunder, and burning the barracks, the officers came on board, 
about midnight, when Lt. General Drummond enquired for the store 
keeper. When pointed out to him, he lavished upon me a profusion of 
vulgar epithets, and concluded by saying, " d — n you, you ought to be 
strung up to the yard arm. You said there were no stores secreted, 
and we found sunk in the river, at your wharf, three or four cannon and 
as many ships' anchors." Col. Harvey was evidently mortified by the 
rudeness and vulgarity of his superiors, and in a walk on the quarter- 
deck next day, apologized for them by saying their loss was severe, and 
among the killed and wounded were some of their best officers. Col. 
Harvey was a gentleman in manners, and a brilliant officer. 

In 1815, I married the youngest daughter of Capt. Edward O'Con- 
ner, a Revolutionary soldier. 

After the war, our business was resumed and extended by a branch at 



APPENDIX. 453 

Black Rock, conducted on the part of Townsend, Bronson & Co., by 
Thompson, and on the part of Porter, Barton & Co., by Nathaniel Sill, 
under the firm of Sill, Thompson & Co. Our connexion was closed in 
1822. 

In 1822 my neighbors procured my nomination to the State Senate, 
without consulting or even confiding to me the secret. Being duly 
elected under the new constitution, I drew two years, during which 
time the principle service rendered my constituents was to procure a 
law authorizing the construction of the Oswego Canal; a small appropri- 
ation for the improvement of the Oswego River having been extorted 
from the Legislature before, and this partly through my agency. 

Identified early with the Oswego Canal, I became its advocate and de- 
fender through a stormy conflict of twenty-five years. During all this 
period, it had to meet and counteract the hostility of Western New York, 
headed by the jealous and sharp rival interest of Buftalo. So much 
was I connected with this work in public estimation, that when I repaired 
to Albany with a remonstrance against the resolution of Mr. Hickox 
of Buff"alo, to repeal the Oswego Canal law, while little progress had yet 
been made, in its construction, meeting Aaron Burr in the hall 
of the capitol, he saluted me by saying, " Ah ! you are here to de- 
fend your canal," and added, " I am with you ;" I said I believed all sensi- 
ble men were with us ; to which he replied characteristically, " Ah, my 
young friend, if that's^ all, you have a vast majority against you." If 
this protracted warfare did not improve my temper, it sharpened 
my pen, as I was charged with all the memorials, remonstrances, and 
newspaper battles incident to the conflict for these twenty-five years, and 
down to the last half dozen years, when I resigned in favor of younger 
heads and stronger hands. 

The other events which signalized my two years' service were a report 
I wrote for the chairman of the committee on manufactures, and my 
connexion with the famous seventeen who defeated the Electoral law. 
Gen. McClure of Steuben introduced the annual resolutions call- 
ing on Congress to encourage and protect manufactures. They con- 
tained the usual fallacies and appeals to public prejudice, alledging that 
importations impoverished the people, that England monopolized our 
public securities, loaded us with debt, robbed us of our specie, 
and degraded us to a tributary, &c. Mallory, chairman of the commit- 
tee in the Senate, to whom these resolutions were referred, (which had 
passed the Assembly almost by acclamation,) entertained doubts as to the 
soundnesss of this popular theory, and proposed to me to try my hand 
at a report, which, if approved, he would offer to his committee. I pre- 



45i HISTOEY OF WATERBUEY. 

pared the report with care. He approved it, and one of his committee, 
Wooster of Herkimer, applauded the work, but said popular prejudice 
would not tolerate such doctrines, which were out and out free trade. 
His committee, therefore, reported the resolutions from the Assembly, 
and Mallory offered his substitute and defended it ably, with such aid as 
I could afford him. It received one vote, that of Wheeler of White 
Hall, a merchant, in addition to those of Mallory and myself. Mallory 
frankly disclaimed tbe authorship. It was published and applauded by 
the city press. Indeed, it was well received by some of the senators, 
and among them Gen. Root, our president. 

In 1829, I was returned to the Senate again; took my seat in 
1830, and was placed at the head of the finance committee. The sub- 
ject which occupied the largest share of my time, was the usury ques- 
tion. John C. Spencer introduced a bill to enforce the usury laws by 
new and additional penalties. This bill passed the Assembly, and was 
referred by the Senate to my committee. It had some able oppo- 
nents in the Senate, foremost among whom were Maynard of TJtica and 
Tracey of Buffalo. There were others opposed in principle to the bill, 
but unwilling to act, believing the measure popular. The policy adopt- 
ed therefore was to procrastinate, and enlist friends by arguments and 
reports. I therefore had occasion to report more or less elaborately 
against the usury penalties during each of these four winters. 

In my second winter the Senate by resolution instructed my com- 
mittee to report to the next Legislature the history of the usury laws and 
their penalties as modified from time to time. Aided by Senator May- 
nard and Cashier A. B. Johnson of Utica, circulars were addressed to 
prominent men throughout the Union, which bi'ought a valuable amount 
of information, together with the opinions of the writers. All the parties 
addressed, with a single exception, favored repeal or amehoration. 
Among them were John Quincey Adams, Gen. Cass, Gov. Burnett of 
Ohio, Saml. A. Foot of Connecticut, Professor McVickar of New York 
and Saml. Smith of Baltimore. The latter, an old merchant and Uni- 
ted States senator, was the exception. 

In my third senatorial year, the important question was agitated 
whether the general fund should be preserved and fortified by a small 
tax ; or exhausted and the government be thrown upon the canal reve- 
nues for support thereafter. Hammond says, (Political History of New 
York, Vol. 2, p. 411,) "Mr. Bronson, in accordance with the views of 
the governor and comptroller, on the 28th February, 1832, brought in 
a bill to levy a tax of one mill on the dollar for three years." He 
adds, "For myself, I think the general fund ought to have been replen- 



APPENDIX. 455 

isbed by a temporary tax, [&c.] This immensely important question 
was elaborately debated, and with great ability, in the Senate. Beards- 
ley, Maynard, Seward and others opposed, and Bronson and Tracey 
supported the bill. On the final vote a very large majority were opposed 
to the tax, five members only, Bronson, Fisk, Fuller, Halsey and Tracey 
voting in favor." 

Near the close of my last session, a bill came from the Assembly re- 
ducing the legal rate of interest to 6 per cent, and bank discouat to 5^ 
per cent., guarding these rates by the existing usury penalties. Against 
this bill, were presented remonstrances from New York, Hudson, Alba- 
ny, and the County of St. Lawrence. All were referred to the finance 
committee, on which I made an elaborate report, "Senate document 
No. 106, 12th April, 1833." This report embraced the subjects of 
Capital, Currency, Banking and Interest. It received, from the 
city press particularly, liberal commendation ; but was pronounced by 
some rather ambitious. I learned that Mr. Gallatin said it was an able 
and well reasoned document — an opinion that might well gratify any 
one of much more pretension than the chairman of the finance com- 
mittee. 

My political and public life closed with my second term in the Sen- 
ate, when I resumed my mercantile pursuits, giving some thought and 
labor to public measures connected with my pursuits ; particularly to 
the debenture or drawback law of Congress, and the Treaty of Reci- 
procity with Great Britain and her American Provinces. The former 
measure originated at Oswego, and simply provided for refunding duties 
paid on importations at the sea-board, on proof of exportation over land 
or by canal to Canada and New Mexico. 

In 1834, Gen. Cass, Secretary ^f War, on the nomination of Silas 
Wright, appointed me one of the visitors of the West Point Academy. 
Subsequently the State of New York commissioned me, with two others, 
to settle for Otsego an exciting court-house question. With these 
slight interruptions, my last twenty years have been devoted assiduously 
to commerce. Indeed, this pursuit has never been wholly intermitted 
since I became a merchant. 

HENRY BUTTON, LL. D. 
Is the son of Thomas and a younger brother of Rev. Matthew R. Dutton, 
(see page 389,) and was born in Plymouth, Feb. 12, 1796. He was grad- 
uated at Yale College in 1818, and made a tutor in 1821. He has since 
been a representative and senator in the State Legislature, a judge of 
the County Court of New Haven, and governor of the State. In 1847, 
he was appointed a professor in the law department of Yale College, 



456 HISTORY OF WATEKBURT. 

whicli ofBce he still holds. The degree of LL. D. was conferred upon 
him in 1854. 

SAMUEL ALFRED FOOTE 

Was the youngest child of John and Mary Foote. He was born in 
Watertown, Dec. 17, 1790, and resided with his parents till Sept. 

1805, when he went to live with his elder brother, Ebenezer, (see page 
390,) then residing in Troy. After a little more than a year spent in 
the law oflflce of his brother, the latter sent him to the Grammar 
School connected with Union College. He entered this school in Dec. 

1806, and the Freshman Class of Union College in Sept. 1807. He left 
college in Dec. 1810, and graduated in July, 1811. After leaving col- 
lege, he read law nearly a year with James Thomson, Esq. of Milton, 
Saratoga Co., and then entered the oflSce of his brother in Alban}^, to 
whicli place the latter had removed. He took charge of the business 
of the office after Feb. 1812, when his brother's partner, Samuel North, 
Esq., was disabled by sickness. Mr. North died in Jan. 1813, when a 
partnership was entered into by the brothers. Samuel A. had then not 
studied law the required time. His brother made for him a special ap- 
plication to the Court ; and in consideration, in part, of the time he 
had spent in the study while a youth and before entering college, the 
rule was dispensed with, an examination permitted, and a license to 
practice as an attorney in the Supreme Court of the State was granted 
in Jan. 1813. He was admitted counselor in Jan. 1816. AVhile con- 
nected with his brother, he attended to the business of the office. The 
partnership was prosperous, but of short duration, on account of the early 
death of the senior brother. The survivor, however, continued the prac- 
tice of law in Albany. 

Mr. Foote was appointed district attorney of the City and County of 
Albany, under the administration of Gov. Clinton, in July, 1819, and 
held the office till Feb. 1821, when he was removed and Benjamin F. 
Butler appointed in his place. He continued in Albany till May, 1828, 
when he removed to the City of New York. — (See The Foote 
Genealogy.) 

DAVID HOADLEY, (2d,) 

A son of David Hoadley, (see page 396,)was born in Waterbury, Feb. 
13, 1806. While still a minor, he was a clerk in the drug store of 
Hotchkiss & Durand, and afterwards, of Lewis Hotchkiss, in New Ha- 
ven. In April, 1827, he commenced business on his own account in 
New York, and was engaged exclusively in the wholesale drug trade 
till 1848. At this time, on account of impaired health, he relinquished 
active business. He was chosen vice president of the American Ex- 



APPENDIX. 457 

change Bank, and as his health improved, consented to take an active part 
in the management of the business. While connected with that prosper- 
ous institution, he became widely known for his prudence and skill. 

Resigning his place in the American Excbange Bank, Mr. Hoadley 
accepted the oiBce of president of the Panama Railroad Company, and 
entered upon his duties, Nov. 1, 1853. He still occupies that responsi- 
ble and difficult position. Few men in the financial circles of New 
York have a higher reputation for ability, integrity and successful 
enterprise. 

ISRAEL HOLMES 

Is a younger brother of Capt. Reuben Holmes, (see page 396,) is a 
descendant of Lieut. Thomas Judd, and was born Dec. 19, 1800. He 
received an ordinary common school education, and was himself a 
teacher of the school in the West Centre district in Waterbury when he 
was quite young. Afterwards, he became principal clerk in the store of 
J. M. L. & W. H. Scovill, and while engaged in the business of these 
gentlemen, was sent by them to England, in 1829, to procure workmen 
for their button factory and the brass business. 

In 1831, Holmes & Hotchkiss built the brass mill afterwards occu- 
pied by Brown & Elton. Mr. Holmes was desirous of connecting wire 
making with brass rolling, but could find no person in this country who 
had any knowledge of the business. Foreseeing the importance of the 
interests connected with the successful introduction of this new branch 
of manufacture into the country, he made a second voyage to England 
in 1831, and returned with men and machinery enough to make- a be- 
ginning — small, it is true, but, viewed in its results as we now see them, 
of great value to Waterbury and to the country. In 1834, Mr. Holmes 
removed to Wolcottville, and in the same year made a third voyage to 
England, and procured workmen and machinery for the manufocture of 
brass kettles in Wolcottville, by the only method then known. This 
was the origin of this branch of business in the United States. In 
1845, Mr. Holmes returned to Waterbury, and as president of the Wa- 
terbury Brass Co. occupied himself in building and putting in operation 
their works in the east part of the town, and afterwards of their " V/est 
Mill,"' which is located near the railroads in the western part of the city. 

He also superintended the erection of a brass mill in Bristol, and is 
now actively engaged in business as superintendent of the brass rolling 
mill of Holmes, Booth & Haydens, of which corporation he is the presi- 
-dent. He is a man of great energy and untiring industry. It is hoped 
it will not offend his well known modesty if it be added, that he has 
much of the natural genius and brilliancy of intellect which belonged to 
his brother Reuben. 



11. GENEALOGY, 



ADAMS. 

1. William Adams settled in Waterbury, m. Susanna, dau. of 
Ebenezer Bronson, Feb. 14, 1739-40, and d. April 23, 1193. His 
wife d. March 22, 1812, aged 94. His cb. were : I. Samuel, b. Aug. 9, 
1740 ; n. Prudence, b. March 31, 1742, d. Oct. 16, 1743 ; HI. William, 
b.'July 1, 1744, d. Oct. 12, 1747 ; IV. Prudence, b, April 24, 1746, d. 
young; V. William, b. June 1, 1748 ; VI. Susanna, b. Nov. 4, 1749, m. 
Ptoswell Bronson; VII. John, b. Feb. 2, 1751 ; VIII. James, b. Feb. 11, 
1754, d. unm. Feb, 1789 ; IX. Luke, b. March 8, 1756 ; X. Sylvanus, b. 
June 22, 1759 ; XL Ruth, b. Dec. 14, 1761, d. Nov. 26, 1767 ; XIL Asa- 
hel, b. July 28, 1764, m. Eunice Prichard. 

2. Samuel, son of William, (1,) ra. Mary, dau. of Edmund Tompkins, 
March 1, 1764, and d. Dec. 13, 1773. Ch. as follows : I. Prudence, b. 
Aug. 10, 1765; H. Reuben, b. April 18, 1767, d. Oct. 6, 1838; III. 
Ruth, b. April 8, 1769, d. Oct. 28, 1791 ; IV. Samuel, b. July 10, 1771 ; 
V. Mary, b. Aug. 18, 1773, m. Danl. Upson, and d. June 29, 1830. 

3. William, son of William, (1,) m. Sarah Goodwin of Lebanon, 
Conn., Feb. 22, 1775, who d. Feb. 18, 1788, and he m. 2d, Orpha Cos- 
set, Dec. 29, 1788. He d. Jan. 25, 1829. Ch. : I. Merick, b. Aug. 30, 
1776, d. 1785 ; IL Sena, b. June 5, 1778, m. John Hull; IIL Sarah, b. 
Jan. 3, 1780, d. 1784 ; IV. Jesse, b. Jan. 4, 1782, d. Aug. 27, 1825 ; 
V. Merick, b. March 2, 1786, d. 1794 ; VL Roxa, b. Oct. 3, 1791 ; VIL 
Chauncey, b. Dec. 3, 1796 ; VIH. Augustus, b. Feb. 28, 1799 ; IX. Wil- 
liam Hopkins, b. Feb. 12, 1802. 

4. John, son of WilHam, (1,) m. Sarah, dau. of James Bronson, May 
25, 1780, She d. Nov. 21, 1793, and he m. Cynthia, dau. of Ebenezer 
Fitch of Wallingford, May 21, 1794. His ch. were: I. Esther, b. 
March 21, 1781 ; IL Fanny, b. March 7, 1783 ; IIL Benoni, b. Feb. 25, 
1785 : IV. Sarah, b. Feb. 6, 1787 ; V. Hannah, b, Dec. 1, 1789; VL 



APPENDIX. 459 

Juliana, b. June 24, 1V93, d. 1793 ; VII.Lutlier, b. May 31, 1V95 ; VIIL 
Amanda. 

5. Luke, son of William, (1,) m. Lucy, dau. of Joseph Nichols, 
Jan. 3, 1782. Ch. : L Anne, b. Aug. 31, 1782; IL Susanna, b. Sept. 
16, 1784; IIL Betsey, b. Dec. 21, 178G. 

6. Sylvanus, son of William, (1,) m. Sarah, dau. of Dea. Timothy 
Hopkins, Dec. 4, 1783. Ch,: L Mark, b. Sept. 16, 1784; IL Chloe, 
b. Feb. 4, 1786 ; IIL Mark, b. Oct. 18, 1787 ; IV. Timothy Hopkins, b. 
Sept. 29, 1789. 

ALCOCKE.* 

ALCOCK, ALLCOCKS, ALLCOX, ALCOX, ALCOTT. 

1. John Alcott was b. at Beverly, Yorkshire, Eng., was Bishop 
of Rochester, Worcester and Ely, in the time of Henry VII ; also Lord 
Chancellor of Eng. He founded Jesus College, Cambridge, and was 
distinguished in his day for his learning and piety. He d. Oct. 1, 
1500, and was buried in a sumptuous tomb of his own designing, in 
Ely cathedral — now much defaced. 

2. Mr. George Alcocke came to this country in 1630, and settled 
in Roxbury, Mass., where he was a deacon of the church, and an impor- 
tant man in the Colony. 

3. Mr. Thomas Alcocke, the progenitor of all bearing the name in 
Conn., came from Eng. in Winthrop's company in 1630, with his 
brother George. In the covenant of the First church of Boston, dated 
at Charlestown, August 27, 1630, Thomas Alcocke stands forty-sixth 
on the list of original members : " Ano, 8: 7: 1639, our brother Thomas 
Alcocke and sister Margary were recommended to Deddam," where he 
settled. In 1650, he removed to Boston, and d. Jan. 1657. His wid. 
Margary, m, John Benham of New Haven, to which place she removed 
about 1660. His ch. were : I. Mary, bap. Nov. 3, 1635, and d. 1644; 
IL Elizabeth, bap. Dec. 10, 1637, d. the same year; IIL Elizabeth, b. 
Oct. 4, 1638, m. May 6, 1656, Joseph Soper of Boston ; IV. Sarah, b. 
Dec. 28, 1639 ; V. Hannah, b. May 25, 1642; VL Mary, b. June 8, 
1644, m. Sept. 27, 1664, James Robinson of Dorchester, d. March 13, 
1718 ; VII. Rebecca, b. 1646, was grandmother of the wife of the first 
Gov. Trumbull of Conn.; VIIL Phillip, b. 1648, settled in New Haven; 
IX. John, bap. Aug. 6, 1651, m. Constance, dau. of Humphrey Milane 
of Boston, where he resided, and d. before 1712. He had two sons and 
six daughters. 

* For the materials of this notice I am indebted to Amos Bronson Alcott of Boston, Mass. 



460 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

4. Phillip, son of Thomas, (3 ,) went to New Haven with liis moth- 
er, who had married John Benhara, in whose family he was brought 
up. He m. in Dec. 5, 1672, Elizabeth, only dau. of Thomas Mitchell, 
one of the early planters of New Haven. He possessed a large estate. 
He m. at Wethersfield, his second wife, (in 1699, April 4,) Sarah, wid. 
of Nathaniel Butler, and afterwards lived there. He, Phillip, d. in 1715, 
aged 58. His ch. were, I. John, b. July 14, 1675 ; H. Thomas, b. 1677 ; 

HI. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 6, 1679, and m. Gray ; IV. Phillip, b. Nov. 

19, 1681, d. before 1712 ; V. Agnes, b. 1683, m. Harrison. 

5. John, son of Phillip, (4,) lived in New Haven, m. Susanna , 

who d. in 1737. He d. March 1722-23, aged 47. Ch : I. Abigail, m. 
Caleb Thomas of New Haven, Jan, 6, 1736 ; H. John, b. Jan. 14, 1705, 
settled in Waterbury; HI. Elizabeth, b. July 31, 1708, ra, July 21, 1737, 
Samuel Hummerston of New Haven; IV. Sarah, b. Aug. 12, 1711, m. 
June 23, 1746, John Ailing of New Haven ; V. Stephen, b. Aug. 10, 
1714, ra. Jan. 16, 1737, Abigail Hummerston, and lived at Amity, now 
Woodbridge ; was a large land owner, and had two ch., Stephen, b. Aug. 
22, 1738, and Sarah, who m. Solomon Gilbert of New Haven ; VI. 
Mary, b. Aug. 10, I7l7, m. Nov. 11, 1736, Daniel Lines, of New Ha- 
ven. 

6. Thomas, son of Phillip, (4,) m. Isl, Mary Gedney, April, 1706, and 
2d, Abigail Austin of East Haven, at which place he resided, and where 
he d. April 2, 1757, aged 80. He had two sons and two daughters. 

7. John, son of John, (5,) was ra. by Rev. Isaac Stiles of North 
Haven, Jan. 14, 1729-30, to Deborah, dau. of Isaac Blakeslee of the 
same place. He d. Jan. 6, 1777. His wife d. Jan, 7, 1789, aged 77. 
They had 12 ch., eleven of whom were b. in Waterbury. They were as 
follows : I. Lydia, b. Nov. 24, 1730, m. Isaac Blakeslee of North 
Haven, Nov. 23, 1757, where she settled, and d. Nov, 15, 1796, aged. 
66. She had 8 ch. II. John, b. Dec. 28, 1731 ; HI. James, b. June 
], 1734 ; IV. Jesse, b. March 23, 1736 ; V. Daniel, b. March 25, 1738 ; 
VI, David, b. Jan. 12, 1740; VII. Deborah, b. 1741, ra. 1st, Isaac 
Twitchell, 2d, Wait Hotchkiss, and settled near the " mill place," on 
Mad River; VIII. Mary, b. 1744, ra. Obed Bradley of North Haven, 
where she lived and d. March 6, 1825; IX. Thankful, b. 1748, m. 
Thaddeus Baldwin of Plymouth, where she settled, and d. March 1, 1839 ; 

X. Hannah, b. 1751, m. Joel Norton of Bristol, and d. March 1, 1821 ; 

XI. Anna, m. Abel Curtiss of Wolcott, and d. Feb. 5, 1822 ; XII. 
Stephen, d, young. 

8. John, son of John, (7,) ra. Aug. 28, 1755, Mary, dau. of Solo- 
mon Chatfield of Derby, and settled near his father. He was a leading 



APPENDIX, 461 

man in the society of Farmingbury. Belli he and his ■wife were mem- 
bers of the church there, which was organized by Rev. Mr. Gillett, Nov. 
18, 1V73. Mrs. Alcox d. Feb. 28, 1807, a. 71, and Mr. Alcox d. Sept. 
27, 1808. Their ch. were: I. Lydia, b. Dec. 8, 1756, m. 1st, Charles 
Frisbie, 2d, Nathaniel Lewis, both of Wolcott, and d. Sept. 23, 1830. 
II. Solomon, b. May 8, 1759; III. Samuel, b. Nov. 29, 1761; IV. 
John Blakeslee, b. June 24, 1764; V. Mary, b. Sept. 8, 1766, d. Feb. 
18, 1770; VI. Isaac, b. April 12, 1769, m. Isabel Lane of Wolcott. 
He lived near the east church, Plymouth, where he d. 1809. He had 
an only child, which d. in infancy; VIL Joseph Chatfield, b. May 7, 
1771 ; Vm. Mark, b. May 11, 1773 ; IX. Thomas, b. Oct. 16, 1775, d. 
April 27, 1778. Of the preceding, Solomon, Samuel and John B. 
served in the Revolutionary war. 

9. James, son of John, (7,) m. Hannah Barnes, and settled near the 
homestead of his father. He d. Aug. 9, 1806, aged 72. Ch. : I. Obe- 
dience, m. John Kenea, who d. aged 88 ; II. Rosanna, m. John Fris- 
bie, and d. in 1830 : HI. Meliscent, m. Nathaniel Lane ; IV. James, m. 
Esther Castle; V. Mehitable, m. James Bradley; VL Lois, m. John 
Smith ; VII. Deadima, m. Joshua Minor, and d. Jan. 15, 1852, aged 
69 ; VIH. Hannah, m. Osman Norton ; IX. Olive, m. Edward Good- 
year ; X. Rhoda, m. Lewis Sanford. 

10. Jesse, son of John, (7,) m. Patience Blakeslee, and settled in 
Wolcott. He d. Oct. 29, 1829, aged 74. His wid. m. Zachariah 
Hitchcock, and d. in 1840, aged 97. Ch.: L Sarah, m. David Churchill; 
II. Lyman, d. Nov. 17, 1781, aged 16; HI. Susan, m. John Beecher, 
and d. Nov. 3, 1836, aged 69; IV. Jesse, m. Lucy Minor; V. Joel, m. 
Elizabeth Johnson, and d. May 27, 1810, aged 32; VI. Hannah, m. 
Daniel Byington ; VIL Chloe, m. Solomon Shelley ; VIII. Ithamer, d. 
Aug. 9, 1798, aged 3. 

11. Daniel, son of John, (7,) m. Elizabeth Dutton, moved to Cole- 
brook, Conn, and d. May 24, 1805. He had nine children. 

12. David, son of John, (7,) m. Abigail Johnson, who d. Feb. 28, 
1793, aged 55, and he m. Feb. 5, 1795, Sarah Pratt. He lived on the 
homestead, where he d. Jan. 29, 1821. Ch.: L Amy, b. Sept. 16, 
1768, d. May 5, 1830, aged 62 ; H. Abigail, b. Dec. 14, 1770, m. Asa- 
hel Lane; III. Daniel, b. April 16, 1774, ra. Feb. 22, 1805, Anna 
Fenn; IV. Obed, b. Sept. 8, 1775, ra. July 13, 1797, Anna Andrews of 
Watertown ; V. and VI. Eldad and Medad, b. Sept. 14, 1779. Eldad 
m. Jan. 29, 1817, Sybil Bartholomew, and d. June 4, 1850. Medad 
m. Sylvia, dau. of Capt. Amos Bronson of Plymouth. She d. at Medi- 
na, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1855, aged 89 ; VIL Eunice, b. Oct. 17, 1782, m. 



^ 



462 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKT. 

April 24, 1806, Archibald Mosher ; VIII. Deborah, b. Nov. 25, 1'784, 
m. Feb. 18, 1808, Isaac. Minor, who d. March 22, 1813. She m. Lorrin 
Fancher, March 4, 1820. 

13. Solomon, son of John, (8,) m. 1st, Pamela Roberts, who d. in 
1810, aged 49, and he m. 2d, Abigail Goodyear. He lived at Potucko's 
Ring, near his father's, and d. May 21, 1818. Ch. : I. Lydia, m. and d- 
in Ohio ; II. Hannah, m. 1st, Richard Wethington of Waterbury, and 
2d, Capt. Gates Upson of Wolcott; III. Seth, went to Ohio; IV. Solo- 
mon, d. in childhood ; V. Leonard, d. near Cleveland, Ohio, where Seth 
now resides. 

14. Samuel, son of John, (8,) m. Lydia Warner of Waterbury, set- 
tled in Wolcott, and d. June 9, 1810. Lydia, his wife, d. May 2, 1848, 
aged 82. Their ch. were : I. James, m. Sarah W. Warner of Water- 
bury, and resides in Monrovia, N. Y. ; II. Mary, m. Isaac Hotchkiss of 
Wolcott, and d. Dec. 1840 ; III Cleora, d. Feb. 16, 1826, aged 33 ; IV. 
Statira, m. Oct. 4, 1819, Amos Shepherd of Southing-ton ; V. Candace, 
m. Geo. Griswold, and lives in Iowa. 

15. John Blakeslee, son of John, (8,) m. Lois Gaylord of Wolcott, 
and settled at Spindle Hill. He d. Sept. 17, 1837. His wid. d. April 
7, 1839, aged 70. Ch. : L Riley, m. 1st, Ruth Frisbie, 2d, Olive War- 
ner, and resides in Waterbury ; II. Almon, ra. twice and lives in AVol- 
cott; IH. Jedediah G., m. 1st, Sophia Roper of AVolcott, 2d, Lois Gay- 
lord of Ilarpersfield, N. Y. He lives on Spindle Hill, where his father 
died. 

16. Joseph Chatfield, son of John, (8,) m. Oct. 13, 1796, Anna, 
u. of Capt. Amos Bronson of Plymouth. Joseph C. first lived 

near his brother Solomon at "Potucko's Ring,"* but in 1805, settled 
near his brother John B., at Clinton Hill or New Connecticut. He d. 
April 3, 1829. His wid. Anna still lives. They had the following ch. : I. 
Betsey, b. April 4, 1798, d. Nov. 5, 1798 ; II. Amos Bronson, (see p. 447,) 
b. Nov. 29, 1799; III. Chatfield, b. Oct. 23, 1801, ra. 1st, Nancy Comstock 
of Paris, N. Y., and 2d, Miranda Baily. He lives at Oriskany Falls, N. 
Y. ; IV. and V. Pamela and Pamila, b. Feb. 4, 1805. Pamela m. James 
Baily of Wolcott, moved to Pennsylvania, and d. Feb. 11, 1849. Pa- 
mila m. Ransom Gaylord of Bristol, went to Stockbridge, N. Y., and d. 
June 14, 1833 ; VL Betsey, b. Feb. 14, 1808, m. Linus Pardee of Wol- 
cott, and lives at West Edmeston near Oriskany Falls, N. Y. ; VII. 
Phebe, b. Feb. 18, 1810, m. William Norton of Wolcott, lived on 
the family homestead, where she died July 28, 1844, aged 34 ; VIII. 

• So called from Potucko, an Indian, who having fired a ring of brushwood to surround and 
catch deer and other game, was himself entrapped and consumed. So says tradition. 



APPENDIX. 463 

George, b. March 20, 1812, d. July 10, 1812 ; IX. Junius, b. July 6, 
1818, m. Nancy Jane PritcLard of Litchfield, Conn., lived at Oriskany 
Falls, and d. April 16, 1852, aged 34 ; X. Ambrose, b. Sept. 10, 1820, 
m. Anna Upson of Wolcott, and lives at Plantsville in Southington. 

lY. Mark, son of John, (8,) m. Mary Lane of Wolcott, who d. Oct. 
8, 1834, aged 61. He d. Nov. 21, 1846. Their ch. were: L and IL 
Alma and Manda, (twins,) d. in infancy ; IIL Thomas ; IV. Emily, m. 
Amos Newton ; V. Alvin, m. Chloe Finch of Wolcott, and lives near 
the mill place, on Mad River, in Wolcott ; VI. Salina, m. James, son of 
James Alcox, and lives in Wolcott ; VII. Isaac, m. and lives at Plaiu- 
ville. Conn. 

18. Obed, son of David, (12,) m. Anna, dau. of William Andrus, a 
soldier of the Revolution and descendant of Abraham Andrus, one of 
the original settlers of Waterbury. He, Obed, d. Aug. 9, 1847. His 
ch. were : T. William A., (see p. 447,) b. Aug. 6, 1798, m. Phebe L. 
Bronson of AVolcott, Jan. 14, 1838; IL Lovina, b. Jan. 17, 1801, m. 
William Knowles of Haddam, in 1820, d. March 1, 1821 ; IIL Florence, 
b. Aug. 9, 1804; IV. George, b. March 25, 1807, ra. Harriet Nichols 
and has five children. 

BENEDICT. 

1. William Benedict lived in Nottinghamshire, about A. D. 1500, 
and had an only son, William, who resided in the same shire.* 

2. William, the son of William, (1,) had a son William, b. in Not- 
tinghamshire. 

3. William, son of William, (2,) had by his first wife, Thomas, b. in 
England, in 1617. His 2d wife was a Mrs. Bridgum. 

4. Thomas, son of William, (3,) m. Mary Bridgum, dau. of his 
father's second wife, and was a weaver by trade. He came to Mass., 
where he resided for a time. Thence he removed to Southold, L. I., 
thence to Huntington and thence to Jamaica, on the same island. On 
the 26th of Sept. 1664, he applied, with others, for liberty to settle at 
the place which is now Elizabethtown, N. J., and the petition was 
granted. Gov. Nichols issued an order for an election, dated Feb. 8, 
1664, at James Fort, N. Y., to the magistrates of the towns on 
L. I., to elect two delegates in each town, sober, able and discreet 
persons, to meet at Hemstead on the last of February, to enact laws, 
&c., and Thomas Benedict was chosen one of the delegates by the town 
of Jamaica. He held a lieutenant's commission from Gov, Nichols, 



* The early generations of this family are taken from a parchment record, now in 
of the family, which has the appearance of being an ancient document. 



46^: HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

dated April 7, 1665. During the same year, he removed to Norwallc, 
Conn., with his family. In 1666, he was chosen town clerk and select- 
man of Norwalk. The office of town clerk he held many years at 203. 
per year, and was deputy to the General Court in May, 1670 and 1675. 
The office of deacon he held many years in the church of Norwalk, and 
" used the office to the satisfaction of the church, until his death," which 
occurred in his 73d year. Ch. : I. Thomas; 11. John; III. Samuel; 

IV. James; V. Daniel; VI. Betty, m. John Slanson, of Stamford; 
VII. Mary, m. Lieut. Olmsted of Norwalk, Nov. 11, 1670; VIII. 
Sarah, m. Dec. 19, 1679, James Beebe, who was one of the early set- 
tlers of Danbury ; IX. Rebecca, m. Doct. Samuel "Woods, who was 
born and educated in England, and settled in Danbury. 

5. Teiomas, son of Tho. (4,) m. Mary Messenger of Jamaica, L. I., 
and settled in Norwalk. Ch. : Mary b. 1666 ; Thomas, b. 1670 ; Han- 
nah, b. 1676 ; Esther b. 1679 ; Abigail, b. 1682, and Elizabeth. 

6. Dea. John, son of Tho. (4,) ra. Phebe, dau. of John Gregory, of 
Ncrwalk, Nov. 11, 1670, and d. at the age of 89. His wife d. 1749. 
Ch : I. Sarah ; II. Phebe, b. 1673 ; III. John, b. 1676 ; IV. Jonathan ; 

V. Benjamin, settled at Ridgefield, about 1720, was deacon and select- 
man ; VI. Joseph, settled at Ridgefield; VII. James, b. 1685, settled 
at Ridgefield ; VIII. Mary ; IX. Thomas. 

7. Samuel, son of Tho. (4,) m. Rebecca Andrews, of Fairfield. He 
purchased, with his brother James, and others, in 1685, lands in Dan- 
bury and began a settlement there. Ch. : Joanna, b. Oct. 22, 1673 ; 
Samuel, b. March, 1675; Thomas, b. March 27, 1679; Rebecca, Esther, 
Nathaniel and Abraham (?) 

8. James, son of Tho. (4,) m. Sarah Gregory, of Norwalk, May 10, 
1676, and settled at Danbury. Ch. : Sarah, b. June 16, 1677; Rebecca, 
Phebe, James, John, Thomas and Elizabeth. 

9. Daniel, son of Tho. (4,) m. Mary Marvin of Norwalk, settled at 
Danbury. Ch. : Mary, Daniel, Mercy and Hannah. 

10. Thomas, son of Tiio. (5,) m. Rachel, dau. of Mr. Samuel Smith 
of Norwalk. Ch. : I. Mary, m. Daniel St. John, of Norwalk ; 11. 
Thomas, m. Deborah, dau. of Jonathan Waters, Esq., of Jamaica ; 
III. Samuel ; IV. Daniel ; V. Rachel, m. Eliasaph, son of Danl. Kellogg 
of Norwalk; VI. Nehemiah ; VII. Sarah, m. Daniel Hayt, of Norwalk- 

11. John, son of Dea. John, (6,) had John, Matthew, Caleb, Nathan- 
iel, Annah and Phebe. 

12. JosEi'H, son of Dea. John, (6,) had Joseph, Gideon, Anna, Pit- 
man, Jonathan, Mary, Ezra and John. 

13. Bknjamin, son of Dea. John, (6,) had Benjamin, Timothy, John. 
S.nnuel, Daniel, Amos, Elizabeth, Mary, Rachel and Thankful. 



HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 4G5 

14. James, son of Dea. John, (6,) had Sarah, Ruth, Peter, Hannah, 
Phebe, James, Martha, Johin and Thomas. 

15. Thomas, son of Dea. John, (6,) had Ebenezer, David, John, Thom- 
as, Betty and Seth. 

16. Samuel, son of Thomas, (10,) m. Jemima, dau. of John Kesler, 
of Norwalk. Ch. : Jemima, Samuel, Mary, Daniel, Stephen, Sarah, Abi- 
gail, Esther and Rachel. 

17. Daniel, son of Samuel, (16,) m. Sarah Ilickox. He lived in 
Daubury. Ch. : Samuel, Daniel, Amos, Noah, b. 173V, Aaron, b. Jan. 
IV, 1745, Ruth, Sarah and Mary. 

18. Rev. Noah, son of Daniel, (17,) graduated at Nassau Hall, in 
1757, was ordained pastor of the First Congregational Church in Wood- 
bury, Oct. 22, 1760, and died in 1813. Ch. : I. Ruth, m. Hon. Nathan- 
iel Smith ; H. Hon. Noah B., b. April 2, 1771, wag an eminent lawyer ; 
HI. Gen. Thomas. 

19. Aaron, son of Daniel, (17,) m. Esther Trowbridge,* of Danbury 
Dec. 13, 1769 ; removed to Waterbury the same year, and settled in the 
east part of what is now the town of Middlebury ; became a leading man 
in the town ; was active in the Revolutionary war ; represented the town in 
the Legislature, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention. 
He d. Dec. 16, 1841, aged 97. His wife d. March 16, 1833. Ch. : I. Re- 
becca, b. Aug. 31, 1772, m. Eli Clark of Waterbury, and had Joseph, 
Polly, Maria, Harriet, Edward, Eli B., Timothy, James ; H. Daniel, b. Jan. 
17, 1774, d. Nov. 5, 1781 ; HI. Polly, b. April 24, 1777, m. Asa -Ly- 
man, and had Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Caroline, Louisa, Theodore and 
Dwight; IV. Amos, (seep. 370,) b. July 6, 1780, m. Ann Stone, of 
Litchfield. Ch. : Harriet Ann, Amelia C. and George Amos ; V. Sally, 
b.Aug, 22,1782, is unmarried, and lives on the old homestead, in 
Middlebury; VI. Aaron, b. Aug. 9, 1785; VII. A son, b. March 16, 
1788, died April 25, 1788; VH. Esther, b.Aug. 11, 1789, m. Dr. Jacob 
Linsley, of Middlebury ; is a widow and lives in Waterbury. 

20. AAR0N,f son of Aaron, (19,) m. Charlotte Porter, of Waterbury 
Sept. 1808. Ch. : L Charlotte Ann, b. March 27, 1810, m. Scovill M. Buck- 
ingham, May 18, 1835 ; IL Frances Jennette, b. Nov. 22, 1812, d. Feb. 
13,1830; IH. George W., b. Nov. 26,1814, m. Caroline R., dau. of 
Austin Steele, of Waterbury, Feb. 8, 1838. Ch.: Mary Caroline, Fran- 
ces Jennette, George Henry, Aaron Austin, and Clara Louisa; IV. 
Charles, b. Sept. 23, 1817, m. Cornelia M. Johnson, of Waterbury, Oct. 

* She was a descendant of William Trowbridge, of New Haven, who was a son of 'J'homas 
Trowbridge, the progenitor of all of the name in this countrj-. 
tSeep.«8. 

30 



466 HISTOKY OF WATEEBUEY. 

1,1845. Ch, : Amelia Caroline, Charlotte Buckingham, and Cornelia 
Johnson ; V. Mary Lyman, Sept. 24, 1819, m. John S. Mitchell, of 
New Haven, Jan. 3, 1838, and had Charles B.,b. 1840, d. 1854. 

BLAKESLEE.* 

1. Thomas Blakesley first appeared at Hartford about 1641. He 
took the oatli of fidelity at New Haven in 1644, but was at Bran- 
ford in 1645, where he lived some years. He removed thence to 
Guilford, and died at Boston in 1674, leaving a wife, Susanna, and ch. 
as follows: Aaron, Moses, Miriam, wife of Samuel Pond, and Abigail, 
wife of Ball. 

2. Samuel,! probably a brother of Thomas, (1,) and ancestor of the 
Elakeslees who settled early at Woodbury, "Waterbury, &c., was a 
planter at Guilford in 1650, and m. Dec. 3, the same year, Hannah, 
dau. of William Potter of New Haven, to which place he removed, and 
d. in 16*72, leaving four ch., viz : John, Mary, Samuel and Ebenezer. 
The births of his ch., as found on record, were : I. John, b. Oct. 22, 
1651 ; H. a son who d. 1672 ; HI. Hannah, b. Oct. 22, 1657, d. 1669; 
IV. Mary, Nov. 2, 1659 ; V, Samuel, April 8, 1662; VI. Ebenezer, 
b. July 17, 1664; VII. Hannah, May 22, 1666; VIII. Jonathan, 
March 3, 1669, d. 1669. 

3. John, son of Samuel, (2,) lived at New Haven, and d. in 1713. 
He had by his wife, Grace: I. John, b. July 15, 1676, d. 1723, leaving 
a family ; II. Hannah or Anna, b. Aug. 6, 1681, m. Moses Sperry, Jan. 

1, 1705 ; III. Moses, settled in "Waterbury. 

4. Samuel, son of Samuel, (2,) settled at West Haven, m. Nov. 20, 
1684, Sarah Kimberly, and removed to Woodbury. The first six of 
his ch. were bap. at Woodbury, Aug. 1697. The births of his ch. re- 
corded at New Haven are as follows : I. Samuel, b. Jan. 28, 1685, settled 
in Woodbury, (Roxbury soc. ;) II. Miriam, b. May 2, 1688; HI. Jona- 
than, b. Jan. 6, 1690-91; IV. Sarah, b. Sept. 1692 ; V. Anna, b. Dec. 

2, 1694 ; VI. Mary, b. Sept. 6, 1696; VII. James, b. April 27, 1699, 
settled in Waterbury; VIII. Mehitable, b. Aug. 31, 1702; IX. Tilly, 
b. March 18, 1705, settled in Woodbury, (Roxbury soc.) He ra. Mary 
Brown of New Haven, Feb. 7, 1728-9. 

* This name, on the early records, is written in twenty-flve or more different ways. It is now 
generally spelled as above. 

t There is a tradition among his descendants, that two brothers of the name of Blakeslee 
came from the west of England, designing to settle in the Plymouth Colony, and that one of 
them died on the passage. The other came to Ply mouth, where he died in the early days of the 
Colony, leaving one son, who was placed with a blacksmith in New Haven, Conn., to learn the 
trade. It is also asserted thnt the brothers brought an anvil with them, and that it was seen 
but a few years since in Roxbury, Conn. 



APPENDIX. 467 

5. Ebenezer, son of Samuel, (2,) d. Sept. 24, 1725, His ch. were : 
I. Ebenezer and 11. Hannah, (twins,) b. Feb. 4, 1685 ; HI. Susannah, b. 
May 21, 1689; IV. Grace, b. Jan. 1, 1693-4, m. Ebenezer Humber- 
ston, Oct. 13, 1718 ; V. Abraham, b. Dec. 15, 1695 ; VI. Isaac, b. July 
21, 1703. 

6. Deacon Moses, son of John, (3,) m. Sarah Benton of Hartford, 
Jan. 1, 1702. He removed to Waterbury about 1739, and settled on 
land previously (about 1722) laid out to him, on what is now called 
Town Hill, in the east part of the present town of Plymouth. His 
house stood near the residence of the late Oliver Stoughton. He was 
appointed deacon of the church at the time of its organization in 1740, 
in which he was an active and influential member, as he also was in the 
society and town. His ch. as recorded at New Haven were : I. Moses, 
b. Sept. 2, 1702, d. 1728; II. Aaron, b. April 25, 1704, d. young; 
III. Abner, b. Jan. 25, 1705, d. 1726 ; IV. Sarah, b. March 3], 1708 ; 
V. Jesse, b. March 30, 1710, had a family in New Haven ; VI. Dinah, b. 
Jan. 21, 171 1-12 ; VII. Job, b. Dec. 8, 1713 ; VIII. Job, Dec. 18, 17 14 ; 

IX. Aaron, Feb. 18, 1716-17, remained at New Haven, had a family; 

X. Hannah, b. March 25, 1718-19 ; XI.Thebe,b. March 12, 1721-2, m. 
Henry Cook, Aug. 30, 1744; XII. John, b. Dec. 15, 1723, settled in Water- 
bury, Northbury soc; XIII. Marah, b. Jan. 29, 1726-27, m. Benjamin 
Upson, May 30, 1743; XIV. Moses, b. Jan. 25, 1728-29, settled in 
Waterbury. 

7. James, son of Samuel, (4,) settled in Waterbury, m. Thankful, 
dau. of Sergt. Stephen Upson of Waterbury, Sept. 15, 1724, and d. 
Jan. 12, 1784. His ch. were: I. Reuben, b. Jan. 18, 1726, m. Rhoda 

, and d. Jan. 4, 1813. Ch. : Reuben, b. 1763 ; Mehitable, b. 1765 ; 

Louis Anna, b. 1768; Rhoda, b. 1771 ; Samuel, b. 1773; James, b. 
1775, and Griswold, b. 1777. II. Tilly, b. June 10, 172 8, and had Ar. 
chibald, b. 1752, and Thankful, b. 1755. III. Mehitable, b. Aug. 12, 
1732. IV. James, b. Feb. 5, 1735. 

8. John, son of Moses, (6,) settled near his father, m. Olive, dau. of 
Samuel Curtis, March 14, 1745. Ch. : I. John, b. March 3, 1746 ; II. 
Amasa, b. Jan. 15, 1748, m. Esther Barker, and had Miles, b. 1772, 
Lyman, b. 1774, Eneas, b. 1776. He settled in Plymouth. III. Joel, 
b. Aug. 19, 1750, m. and settled in Plymouth. He had Linus, Ran- 
som, Betsey, Erastus and Amanda ; all dead except Ransom and Bet- 
sey. IV. Enos, b. July 12, 1752; V. Obed, b. Aug. 29, 1754; VL • 
Olive, b. March 29, 1758, m. Elnathan Ives; VIL Lettis, b. 1760, d. 
1761 ; VIIL Lettis, b. May 27, 1763, m. Ira Pond; IX. Jared, b. July 
8, 1765. He is living and has a family in Plymouth ; X. Sally, b. Aug- 
20, 1768, m. Stephen Seymour ; XL Curtis, b. Feb. 16, 1770, d. young 



468 HI3T0KT OF WATEKBCRT. 

9. }.rosES, son of Moses, (6,) m. Dec. 24, 1753, Hannah Dunbar of 
.Wallingford, and had : I. Asa, b. Sept. 30, 1754 ; II. Caleb, b. Oct. 22, 
1756, d. 1757 ; III. A daughter, b. April 1, 1758 ; IV. Moses, b. May 
12, 1760. 

10. I have not been able to find the connection of the following with 
the preceding. I presume, however, they are descended from Samuel, 
(2.) Capt. Thomas B., son of Ebenezer of New Haven, settled in Wa- 
terbury. Ilis first four ch. are recorded at New Haven, the others at 
Waterbury. He was the first captain in Northbury society. He d. 
Jan. 2, 1778, and his wid. Mary d. April, 1792. Ch. : I. David, b. 
Nov. 2, 1722; II. Reuben, b. March 9, 1724-5; III. Moses, b. June 
30, 1727 ; IV. Mary, b. Sept. 7, 1729, d. 1750; V. Submit, b. 1731, d. 
1750 ; VI. Experience, b. Jan. 3, 1734-5 ; VII. Lydia, July 6, 1737, m. 
Stephen Blakeslee, Jan. 1757 ; VIII. Esther, b. Aug, 6, 1739 ; IX. 
Abigail, b. Dec. 22, 1741. 

11. David, son of Capt. Thomas, (10,) m. Nov. 29, 1743, Phebe 
Todd of New Haven, who d. Oct. 4, 1744. He m. 2d, Abigail, dau. of 
Jonathan How, May 18, 1752, who d. May 6, 1799. Ch. : I. Thomas, 
b. Sept. 17, 1744, m. Lydia Bradley, Aug. 14, 1764, and had Aseneth, 
b. March 28, 1765; Bethiah, b. March 30, 1767 ; Chloe, b. Feb. 13, 
1769 ; Mabel, b. March 31, 1771 ; II. Eli, b. March 22, 1753, m. L. Cur- 
tis, Oct. 31, 1773, and had Prue, b. June 25, 1775, and Orpha, b. Nov- 
3, 1776 ; III. Asa, b. May 23, 1756 ; IV. Phebe, b. June 14, 1758 ; V. 
Ede, b. Oct. 21, 1760, d. 1771 ; VI. Bede, b. Nov. 9, 1762 ; VII. Adna, 
b. Jan. 31, 1765 ; VIII. David, b. July 22, 1771. 

12. Reuben, son of Capt. Thomas, (10,) m. Mary, dau. of Barnabas 
Ford, Sept. 19, 1748. Ch. : I. Ruth, b. Feb. 4, 1749; II. Submit, b. 
Feb. 14, 1751; HI, Silas, b. Nov. 30, 1752; IV. Enos, b. May 11, 
1755 ; V. Lois, b. Oct. 30, 1757 ; VL Eunice, b. Feb. 14, 1760. 

13. Moses, son of Capt. Thomas, (10,) m. Nov. 17, 1746, Mehitable, 
dau. of Gideon Allen. Ch. : L Hezekiah, b. Jan 27, 1748 ; IL Keziah, 
b. Sept. 20, 1749, d. in 1755; III. Amos, b. Jan. 10, 1752, d. 1755 ; 
IV. Mary, b. Feb. 20, 1754 ; V. Keziah, b. May 21, 1756 ; VL Rachel, 
March 31, 1758 ; VH. Vodice, b. July 4, 1760, d. 1760; VIIL Vodice, 
b. Sept. 8, 1761 ; IX. Amos, b. Nov. 26, 1763 ; X. Zuar, b. Feb. 1766 ; 
XL Grace, b. July 21, 1768. 

14. Jacob Blakeslee had the following ch., four of whom are re- 
corded at New Haven. He removed to Waterbury, where his two 
last ch. are recorded. He d. March 25, 1767. Ch.: I. Abner, b. May 
15, 1731 ; IL Anna, b. Oct. 6, 1733 ; IIL Gad, b. Dec. 13, 1735 ; IV. 
Asher, b. May 23, 1738 ; V. Noali, b. Dec. 13, 1740 ; VL Sarah, b. Aug. 
19, 1743. 



APPENDIX. 4G9 

15. Abner, son of Jacob, (14,) m. Thankful, dau. of Samuel Peck, 
Sept. 25, 1755, and had: I. Samuel, b. Nov. 22, 1Y56; 11. Jacob, b. 
Sept. 14, 1758; III. A son, b. Sept. 4, 1761, d. young; IV. Clement, 
b. June 30, 1763 ; V. Micajab, b. April 22, 1766 ; VI. Ziba, b. July 9, 
1768 ; VII. Abner, b. May 21, 1771. 

16. AsHER, son of Jacob, (14,) m. Oct. 26, 1762, Mary, dau. of John 
Humaston of Litchfield, and d. May 3, 1814. Ch.: I. Selah, b. Jan. 30, 
1764; II. Salmon, b. Jan. 30, 1766 ; III. Anna, b. Nov. 15, 1767; IV. 
Gad, b. Jan. 10, 1770; V. Asher, b. Nov. 17, 1771. 

BRONSON. 

1. John Bronson of Hartford and Farmigton, had ch.: Jacob, John, 
Isaac, Abraham, Mary, Dorcas and Sarah. (See p. 137.) 

2. Jacob, son of John, (1,) had Samuel, Jacob, of Kensington, Roger, 
of New Milford, Isaac, of Lyme, Elizabeth and Rebecca. 

3. John, son of John, (1,) was one of the first settlers of Waterbury. 
Ch. : John, Sarah, Dorothy, Ebenezer, William, Moses and Grace. (See 
p. 138.) 

4. Serj. Isaac, son of John, (1,) had, I. Isaac; II. John; IIL Samuel ; 
IV. Mary ; V. Joseph ; VL Thomas ; VII. Ebenezer ; VIII. Sarah ; 
IX. Mercy. (See p. 140, and Cothren's Woodbury, p. 505.) 

5. Moses, son of John, (3,) had ch. : I. Eunice, b. Dec. 23, 1714, m. 
Eliakim Welton ; IL Sarah, b. Sept. 2, I7l7, m. John Warner; III. Na- 
than, b. Sept. 5, 1719, m. Williams, went to Alford; IV. Martha, b. 

June 14, 1721, m. Hill ; V. Elnathan, b. Oct. 2, 1723, m. Rachel 

Hill ; VI. Charity, and VII. Commfort, twins, b. Mar. 29, 1726. Comfort, 

m. Martin ; VIII. Esther, b. Feb. 6, 1728, m. Peck ; IX. Jeru- 

sha, b.Feb. 9, 1730, m. Thomas Williams ; X. Jemima, b. May 25, 1732; 
XL William, b. May 30, 1734, went to Alford, Mass; XIL Moses, b. 
June 19, 1736 ; XIII. Naomi, b. March 28, 1739, m. Jonathan Hughes. 

6. Isaac, son of Isaac, (4,) had ch. : I. Jerusha, b. Nov. 8, 1703, m. 
Paul Welch of New Milford ; IL Isaac, b. Mar. 29, 1707 ; IIL Anna, b. 
Aug. 23, 1709, m. 1st, Daniel How, 2d, Isaac Tuttle; IV. Josiah, b. 
June, 1713 ; V. Mary, b. May 29, 1716, m. James Hine of New Mil- 
ford ; VL Nathan, b. May, 1719, d. 1722; VIL James, b, Oct. 27, 
1721, d. 1725; VIIL Patience, b. April 14, 1725; IX. James, b. 
Oct. 22, 1727. 

7. Lt. John, son of Isaac, (4,) had ch. : I. Mary, b. April 9, 1698, m. 
1st, Samuel Porter, 2d, John Barnes, and d. 1774 ; II. John, b. April 23, 
1701 ; III. Hannah, b. Oct. 13, 1704, m. Nathan Gaylord, lived in New 
Milford; IV. Jemima, b. Aug. 27, 1706, m. Stephen Hopkins; V. 



470 HISTOEY OF WATEKBUET. 

Joseph, b. Julyl5, lYOO ; VI. Benjamin, b. Oct. 2, 171 1 ; VII. Tamer, 
b. March 14, 1730, m. Joseph Nichols ; VIII. Ezra, b. April 24, 1732 ; 
IX. Phebe, b. March 23, 1734, m. Nathaniel Richardson. 

8. Lt. Thomas, son of Isaac, (4,) had eh. : I. Thomas, b. Jan. 5, 1710- 
11; II. Stephen, b. Nov. 25, 1712, d. Dec. 30, 1712; III. Elizabeth, 
b. April 8, 1714, d. 1715 ; IV. Elizabeth, b. April 24, 1716, m. Ebenezer 
Warner. 

9. Ebenezer, son of Isaac, (4,) had ch.: I. Susanna, b. Ap. 29, 1718, 
m. William Adams; II. Andrew, b. Nov. 23, 1720; III. Mary, b. Oct. 
1723, m. Jonathan Baldwin and d. May 17, 1821 ; IV. Samuel, b. Mar. 
16, 172G, d. 1726 ; V. Ebenezer, b. Oct. 9, 1730, d. 1730 ; VI. Thank- 
ful, b. Oct. 15, 1733, d. 1750; VII. Ebenezer, b. Feb. 1, 1738. 

10. Elnathan, son of Moses, (5,) m. Avid. Rachel Hill of New Fair- 
field, Dec. 26, 1744. He had ch. : I. Jesse, b. Sept. 11, 1745 ; II. Es- 
ther, b. Sept. 22, 1747 ; III. Jerusha,b. Jan. 15, 1749-50 ; IV. Hannah, 
b. Feb. 29, 1751-2 ; V. Joseph, b. Dec. 3, 1753. 

11. Nathan, son of Moses, (5,) m. Obedience, dau. of Thomas Wil- 
liams, Feb. 22, 1749-50. She d. March 13, 1753, and he m. 2d, wid. 
Abigail Lewis, June 29, 1769, who d. Nov. 17, 1800. Ch. : I. Reuben, 
b. Nov. 28, 1750 ; II. a dau. b. Feb. 17, 1753. 

3 2. Isaac, son of Isaac, (6,) ra. Eunice, dau. of Thomas Richards, 
July 3, 1734, who d. Sept. 6, 1749, and he m. Abigail, wid. of Caleb 
Munson, Nov. 22, 1750, and d. Dec. 7, 1799, a. 93. His ch. were, I. Lois, 
b. Jan. 26, 1735, m. Isaac Prichard of Waterbury, d. 1824 ; II. Isaac, 
b. Oct. 2, 1736 ; IIL Hannah, b. Jan. 31, 1738-9, m. Timothy Clark, 
d. 1815; IV. Lydia, b. June 29, 1741, d. Sept. 1749 ; V. Eli, b. June 
30, 1743 ; VL Patience, b. Dec. 12, 1746, d. Sep. 6, 1749 ; VIL Seth, 
b. Dec. 7, 1748 ; VIIL Titus, b. Oct. 15, 1751 ; IX. Abigail, b. Aug. 
12, 1753, m. Ambrose Ilickox. 

13. Lt. JosiAH, son of Isaac, (6,) m. Dinah, dau. of John Sutliff, July 
23, 1735. She d. Sept. 10, 1736, and he m. Sarah, wid. of David 
Leavenworth of Woodbury, May 15, 1740, who d. Aug. 28, 1767, and 
be m. 3d, Rebecca, wid. of Moses Hurlbut of Woodbury, Dec. 23, 1767. 
She d. June 5, 1797, and he m. 4th, wid. Huldah Williams, June 12, 
1798. He was born at Breakneck. Blest by nature with a robust 
constitution, a cheerful, buoyant spirit and an iron will, he was emi- 
nently fitted to grapple with the many difficulties incident to the times 
in which he lived. He was shrewd, calculating and social ; became a 
lieutenant, secured wealth, aud obtained an honorable position in soci- 
ety. With less of the puritan strictness which characterized most men 
of his day, he was a professor of religion, and died, at a good old 



APPENDIX. 471 

age, Feb. 20, 1804. His cb. were, I. Lucy, b. Sept. 10, 1736, m. 
James Porter of Middlebury ; II. David, b. June 25, 1741; III. Abel, 
b. May 30, 1743, a physician; IV. Zuba, b. April 28, 1745, ni. Abner 
Munson; V. Ruben, b. June 5, 1747 ; VI. Thaddeus, b. July 22, 1749 ; 
VII. Josiab, b. Feb. 1, 1751-2 ; VIII. Elijah, b. May 15, 1755. 

14. James, son of Isaac, (6,) m. Sarah, dau, of Josiah Brocket of 
Wallingford, Aug. 22, 1750. Ch. : I. Roswell, b. Sept. 9, 1751 ; IT. 
Sarah, b. Jan. 5, 1754, m. John Adams; III. Levi, b. June 12, 1757 ; 
IV. Asahel, b. Nov. 28, 1759; V. Thankful, b. Mar. 5, 1762, m. Amos 
Hinman ; VL Jesse, b. July 1, 1763. 

15. John, son of John, (7,) m. Comfort, dau. of "William Baldwin of 
Stratford, March 28, 1728. He lived at Jerlco, on the Naugaiuck, in 
Northbury, till 1759, when he removed to Nine Partners, N. Y., and be- 
came a Baptist deacon. Ch.: I. Rhoda, b. March 30, 1729, ra. Joshua 
Graves; H. Amos, b. Feb. 3, 1730-1 ; IIL Hannah, b. March 6, 1734, 
m. David Foot; IV. Thankful, b. Sept. 6, 1736, m. Moses Foot of 
Waterbury, Aug. 12, 1756, d. Sept. 5, 1757 ; V. Mary, b. Feb. 25, 
1738-9, m. Aaron Foot of Harwinton and Sheffield, d. Feb. 10, 
1824; VL John, b. Dec. 22, 1742; VIL Chloe, b. Dec. 29, 1745, 
m. Col. Barker of Nine Partners, N. Y. 

16. Joseph, son of John, (7,) m. Anna, dau. of Rev. John Soutbmayd, 
June 1, 1732. She d. Aug. 12, 1749, and he m. 2d, Mary, dau. of 
Lt. Gershom Fulford, May 2, 1750, and d. Sept. 19, 1771. Ch. : I. Me- 
liscent, b. Dec. 24, 1734, d. 1735 ; IL Eldad, b. July 1, 1736, d. 1749 ; 
III. Desire, b. July 9, 1738, m. Jonathan Guernsey; IV. Seba, b. Sept. 
23, 1740 ; V. Anne, b. May 22, 1751, m. Herman Munson ; VL Bela, 
b. May 7, 1757. I find in addition to the preceding the births of no 
less than six still born children on record. 

17. Benjamin, son of John, (7,) m. Lois, dau. of Thomas Richards, 
March 14, 1738, and d. Nov. 16, 1745. His wid. m. Silas Hotchkiss. 
Ch.: L Hannah, b.Nov. 16, 1738, d. same month ;IL Ruth, b. Sept. 30, 
1739, m. Samuel Scovill; IIL Chloe, b. Dec. 2, 1741, d. 1742; IV. 
Samuel, b. Dec. 10, 1742; V. Benjamin, b. May 8, 1746, d. Dec. 22, 
1765. 

18. Capt. Ezra, son of John, (7.) He was one of the honored men 
of his time ; was town cle'k, town treasurer, a representative to the As- 
sembly, a justice of the peace, and commissary in the Revolution, He 
m. Susanna, dau. of Thomas Judd, Sep. 6, 1753, and d. Sept. 1, 1795. 
She d. Oct. 13, 1828, aged 90. Ch. : L Lt. Michael, b. March 25, 1754 ; 
II. Hannah, b. March 26, 1757, m. Wm. Leavenworth ; III. Mark, b. 
Aug. 4, 1762 ; IV. Susanna, b. March 6, 1766, m. Stephen "Welton ; V. 



473 HISTORY OF WATERBUET. 

Anne, b. Dec. 26, 1770, m. Josepli Cook; VI. Meliscent, b. June 27, 
1773, m. William Durand. 

19. Thomas, Esq., son of Lt. Thomas, {8,) m. Susanna, dau. of Rev. 
John Southmayd, Sept. 25, 1734. She d. Aug. 13, 1741. He then m. 
Anna, dau. of Stephen Hopkins, Esq., Jan. 9, 1746, aud d. June 25, 
1759. Ch. : I. Stephen, b. June 30, 1735; H. Susanna, b. Dec. 7, 
1736, m. Rev. Elijah Sill; HI. Daniel, b. March 8, 1739 ; IV. Samuel, 
b. June 21, 1741, d. 1741 ; V. David, b. Sept. 25, 1748, d. 1750 ; VI. 
Thomas, b. March 10, 1751; VII. Anne, b. Sept. 28, 1752, m. Joseph 
Upson ; VIII. Elizabeth, b. Oct. 30, 1755 ; IX. Ruth, b. Feb. 23, 1759, 
EQ. Dr. Jesse Upson. 

20. Dea. Andrew, son of Ebenezer, (9,) m. Mary, dau. of Lt. John 
Scovill, Feb. 9, 1745-6, and d. Dec. 1799. Ch. : I. Amasa, b. June 8, 
1746, d. 1752; II. Esther, b. Jan. 21, 1747-8, m. Daniel Bronson, in 
1770 ; III. Amasa, b. April 1, 1750, d. 1753 ; IV. Mary, b. April 23, 
1752 ; V. Thankful, b. Aug 27, 1755 ; VI. Lucy, b. June 27, 1760, m. 
Samuel Porter; VIL Samuel, b. Nov. 1, 1762; VIII. Sylvia, b. Nov. 
20, 1764; IX. Andrew. 

21. Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer, (9,) m. Miriam, dau. of Richard 
Nichols, April 7, 1763, and d. May 6, 1808. His wife d. July 12, 1812. 
Ch. : L Joseph, b. March 1, 1764 ; II. Amzi, b. April 12, 1765 ; III. 
Sarah, b. Nov. 27, 1766, d. 1767; IV. Sarah, b. Dec. 16, 1767; V. 
Susan, b. May 7, 1769, d. 1782 ; VL Ebenezer, b. Nov. 14, 1771, m. 
and had five or six ch., and d. July, 1840, in the State of New York; 
VII. Harvey, b. Feb. 21, 1774 ; VIIL Clarissa, d. Aug. 26, 1778 ; IX. 
Clarinda; X. Isaac. The last three were b. April 18, 1778; XL 
Susa, b. Feb. 14, 1784. 

22. Capt. Isaac, son of Isaac, (12.) He m. Mary, dau. of Josiah 
Brocket of Wallingford, Feb. 13, 1755, and d. April 15, 1826, aged 90. 
His wife d. Aug. 1, 1816. Ch. : L Eunice, b. Dec. 4, 1755, d. in 1775; 
II. Mary, b. Sept. 15, 1757, m. Eblem Hill, supposed to be living in Ash- 
tabula Co., Ohio, at this time; IH. Isaac, b. March 10, 1760, (see p. 
370 ;) IV. Laban, b. Feb. 14, 1762, d. 1801 ; V. Ethel, b. July 22, 1765, 
(see p. 374 ;) VL Chauncey, b. Dec. 31, 1767, d. 1768 ; VIL Hannah b. 
May, 1769, m. Eli Hine, Oct. 30, 1792; VIIL Sarah, b. March 21, 
1775 ; IX. Virtue, b. March 22, 1778, m. Nancy Carrington, d. 1815 
or 1816, in Ontario Co.,N. Y. 

23. Eli, son of Isaac, (12,) m. Mehitable, dau. of Capt. Enos At- 
water of Wallingford, March 4, 1773, and d. Sept. 30, 1816. Ch. : L- 
Enos, b. March 31, 1774, (see p. 384.) IL Mehitable, b. Nov. 29, 1775, d. 
1777 ; III. Mehitable, b. May 7, 1778, m. Eli Thompson; IV. Diantha, 



4Y3 



APPENDIX. 

m. 



b. April 11, 1780, m. Amos Curtiss ; V. Capt. Pbilo, b. May 15, 1782, 
Chloe, dau. of Major Samuel Bronson. He was a deacon, a frequent 
representative to tbe Legislature, and most excellent man, and d. at 
Geneva, N. Y, Nov. 29, 1855 ; VI. A son, b. Oct. 31, 1784, d. young. 

24. i)ea. Seth, son of Isaac, (12,) ra. Chloe, dau. of George Prich- 
ard, Nov. 27, 1770, and d. Oct. 11, 1828. His wid. d. Jan. 16, 1805. 

Ch.' : I. Anna, b. Jan. 19, 1773, m. Kelsey of Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; 

n Chloe b. Dec. 28, 1777, m. David Tyler of Middlebury, went to Pait- 
land, N. v., and still lives ; HI. Jonas, b. Sept. 25, 1779, m. Melinda 
Baldwin, is deacon of a Congregational church, and now lives m Rut- 
land, Jefferson Co., N. Y.; IV. Marcus, b. Sept. 8, 1781, m. Rebecca 
Thompson, and is now living in Middlebury ; V. Asa. (?) 

25. Titus, son of Isaac, (12,) m. Hannah, dau. of Moses Cook, Feb. 
11, 1779. Ch. : I. Jairus, b. Dec. 9, 1779, m. Irene Mallory of Wood- 
bury, Jan. 11, 1804, is now living in Talmadge, Ohio. Cb. : Charles C, 
Butler, Zuria, Bennet, Maria, Cornelia and Harriet. II. Horace, b. Feb. 
15, 1782, m. Charry Thompson, is now living in Middlebury. Ch. : 
Alfred H., Horace C, John T., Eliza, Mary, Caroline, Sarah and Joseph. 
HI. Auo-ustus, b. June 24, 1784, m. Nancy Bradley, d. in Ohio, 1838 ; 
IV Esther, b. Oct. 19, 1786, m. John Hine, is a widow, lives m New 
Haven. Ch. : Harriet and Mary. V. Titus, b. Nov. 27, 1788, m. Sally 
Richardson, d. in 1853. He was a pioneer settler at Ann Arbor and 
Kalamazoo, Mich., and Davenport, Iowa, d. Jan. 1853, while on a visit 
to his native place, Middlebury. VI. Hannah, b. April 18, 1791,. d. in 
1851. VII. Sally, b. Sept. 13, 1794, m. A.Benham,andisnowlivmg in 
Middlebury ; Ch. : William, John, Enos, Sarah and Franklin. VIII. Leon- 
ard b June 24, 1797, m. Nancy Richardson, wid. of M. Piatt. Ch. : 
Julia Maria, b. Jan. 12, 1820, d. Sept. 1841, Geo. F., b. Jan. 21, 1821, 
Catharine, d. young, Isaac R., b. May 22, 1826, and Edward L. 

26 David, son of Lt. Josiah, (13,) m. Anna, dau. of Darnel Porter, 
March 1,1772, and d. July 23, 1799. His wid. d. Nov. 16, 1814. Ch : 
I. Hannah, b. Nov. 10, 1774, m. E. Stone; IL David, b. Feb. 3, I7i7; 
HI. Anna, b.Nov. 3, 1778, m. Zerah Brown. 

27 Doct. Abel, son of Lt. Josiah, (13,) m. Lydia Benham, Dec. 15, 
1768 who d. June 6, 1782. He ra. 2d, Esther Hawkins, Oct. 24, 
1784' and d. Aug. 2, 1805. Ch. : L Sarah, b. June 2, 1871, d. young; 
H Abel b Oct.1,1775; IIL Ason,b.Feb.2, l786,d.nextday; IV.Lydia, 
b March 21, 1787, m. Col. E. Judd ; V. Elvira, b. Aug. 1789, m. Joseph 
Hall • VL Sarah, b. April 1, 1791, m. Eben Abbott; VIL Joseph Perry, 
b. Sept. 25, 1794, is living in Watertown ; VIIL Homer, b. March 20, 
1796, now living in Egremont, Mass. 



474: HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

28. Reuben, son of Lt. Josiah, (13,) m. Jemima, dan. of Lt. Samuel 
Porter, Nov. 1, lIlO. Ch. : I. Edmund, h. July, 1772, d. 1774; II. 
Samuel, b. Sept. 1774. 

29. Thaddeus, son of Lt. Josiali, (13,) m. Abigail Wilmot, Dec. 10, 
1772, who d. May 25, 1793, and he m, 2d, Anne Hitchcock, Jan. 5, 
1794, and d. March 2, 1825. Ch. : I, Abigail, b. June 1, 1773, m. D. 
Prichard ; II. Uri, b. May 30, 1778, m. Anna Atwood, Dec. 5, 1799 ; III. 
Olive, b. March 17, 1779, m. David Howe ; IV. Lucy, b. March 21, 1781, m. 
Amasa Gaylord ; V. Jerusha, b. May 21, 1784, m. Sherman Curtis ; VI. 
Jared, b. June 18, 1791, lives in Middlebury; VIL Ruth, b. May 17,1793, 
m. Stephen Atwood of Woodbury. 

30. JosiAH, son of Lt. Josiah, (13,) m. Tabitha, dau. of Ezekiel Tut- 
tle, Jan. 20, 1780. Ch. : L Truman, b. Jan. 5, 1781, d. in Ohio; IL 
Alvin, b.May 19, 1783, (see p. 450 ;) IIL Josiah, b. Sep. 19, 1786, lives at 
Onondaga, N. Y. ; IV. Edward, b. Sep. 1, 1789, resides at Cleveland, Ohio ; 
V. Nancy, b. Feb. 27, 1793, lives at Onondaga, N. Y. 

31. Elijah, son of Lt. Josiah, (13,) m. Lois, dau. of Stephen Bun- 
nell of Wallingford, March 10, 1778. Ch. : L Giles, b. Feb. 13, 1780, 
d. leaving one son and two daus. ; II. Irene, b. May 28, 1 782, m. Roswell 
Hull of Killiugworth, resides there, has four sons, and two daus.; HI. 
Sabra, b. March 9, 1784, m. Jonathan Blake of Winchester, resides there, 
has one son and two daus. ; IV. Selah, b. Feb. 26, 1786, d. at Oswego, 
N. Y., had one son and one dau.; V. Silas, b. Feb. 15, 1788, resides in 
the city of New York. His father (a Middlebury farmer) having a 
large family, it became necessary for the children, at an early age, to 
look out for their own support. Silas had only a limited common 
school education, and for four years followed the trade of a carpenter 
and joiner. Not satisfied with his future prospects, he resolved to try 
his fortune in the State of Georgia, where he followed the mercantile 
business for fifteen years. In the year 1830, he removed to the city of 
New York, and commenced the business of an importing and jobbing 
dry goods merchant. In 1835, he suffered severely from the memor- 
able fire of that year. But by great energy and perseverance, he soon 
overcame his losses. As his business increased, his health becoming 
somewhat impaired, he gave up his dry goods business, and has for the 
last few years devoted himself to a commission business, which he still 
continues. He is unmarried. VI. Elijah, b. Jan. 1, 1794, resides in 
Tenn., has five sons and two daus.; VII. Amos, b. Nov. 23, 1795, 
resides in Tenn., has one son and one dau. ; VIII. Polly, b. Dec. 3, 
1797, m. Henry S. Wheeler, lives in Middlebury. 

32. Roswell, son of James, (14,) m. Susanna, dau. of William 



APPENDIX. 



475 



Adams, Nov. 25, 1773. Ch. : I. Benoni, b. Sept. 25, 1774, d. 1777 ; 
II. Eoswell, b. Jan. 26, 1777, lives in Clinton, N. Y.; III. Mille, b. Feb. 
2, 1779, d. Aug. 1826; IV. Nancy, m. Stephen Stone, d. 1828; V. 
Garry, b. 1791, m. Maria Richardson, d. in 1841. 

33. AsAHKL, Esq., son of James, (14,) lived in Middlebury, m. Esther, 
dau. of Stephen Upson, Feb. 12, 1784, d. April 22, 1850. Ch. : I. 
Sally, b. Dec. 1, 1784, m. Daniel Tyler of Middlebury; II. William, b. 
May 27, 1787, m. Almira Tyler, dau. of Roswell, d. Sept. 1856 ; III. 
James, d. June, 1816 ; IV. Doct. Tracy, lives in Newton, Ohio; V. and -/ 
VI. Almy and Amy ; Almy m. Lyman Camp of Middlebury, Amy d. 
young ; VII. and VIII. Asahel and Esther, b. 1800 ; Asahel d. young, 
Esther d. 1826. 

34. Jesse, son of James, (14,) m. Esther, dau. of Nathan Osborn of 
Woodbury, Sept. 30, 1784. Ch. : I. Benoni, b. March 1, 178G ; II. 
Marshal, b. Nov. 22, 1787; III. Alvari, (dau.) b. Aug. 30, 1789; IV. 
Leman, b. Jan. 15, 1792. 

35. Capt. Amos, son of John, (15,) m. Anna, dau. of Jacob Blakeslee, 
June 3, 1751, and settled on the homestead at Jerico, which was given 
him by his father in 1759. He was a prominent man in Northbury, 
now Plymouth, and d. Sept. 2, 1819. Ch. : I. Lucy, b. Nov. 1, 1752, 
m. Isaac Barnes, d. at Camden, N. Y. ; II. Phebe, b. March 30, 1754, m. 

1st, Seymour, 2d, Stephen Sanford, and d. at Medina, Ohio, in 1835 ; 

IIL Tamer, b. Feb. 1, 1756, d. 1757; IV. Zerah, b. Jan. 22, 1758, m. 
Aaron Welton, and d. at Medina, Ohio, in 1836 ; V. Sylvia, b. Feb. 3, 
1760, d. April, 1776 ; VL Tillotson,b. Jan. 8, 1762, (see p. 376 ;j VIL 
Noah, b. Aug. 6, 1764, d. 1766; VIIL Noah M., b. July 15, 1767, m. 
Betsey Ives of Plymouth, lives at Medina, Ohio, to which place he re- 
moved in 1815, and became one of the original settlers and proprietors. 
He has been a judge of one of the Ohio courts. IX. Amos, b. Sept. 3, 
1769, m. Hannah Thomas, d. at Springville, Pa., in 1825; X. Anna, b.~ 

n. 20, 1773, m. Joseph Chatfield Alcox of Wolcott ; XL Sarah, b. 
Nov. 3, 1774, m. 1st, Solomon Barker, 2d, Darius Orton, and 3d, Wra. 
Wiatt, 'and d. at Medina, Ohio, Sept. 18, 1855; XIL Sylvia, b. Nov. 
22, 1776, m. Medad Alcox of Wolcott. 

36. Seba, son of Joseph, (16,) m. Mary, dau. of Abraham Hickox, 
July 5, 1764. They both d. in Ohio, in 1816. Ch : L Levi, b. July 
24, 1765, m. Sarah Prindle, May 23, 1783, and had ten ch. ; IL Olive, 
b. July 3, 1766 ; IH. Ager, b. Jan. 1, 1768, m. Clarissa, dau. of Michael 
Bronson, d. Dec. 11, 1825 ; IV. Joseph, b. June 3, 1769 ; V. Anna, b. 
Feb. 5, 1771 ; VI. Seba, b. Sept. 26, 1772 ; VIL Herman, b. Dec. 18, 
1774; VIIL Thomas G., b. April 19, 1776 ; IX. Abraham, b. April 



476 HISTOET OF WATERBURT. 

11, 1778; X. Mary, b. March 13, 1780, m. Arcl Welton ; XL Bela, 
b. April 3, 1782; XIL— b. 1784 ; XIII and XIV. Southmayd and 
Daniel, b. Sept. 3, 1786. Southmayd d. April 23, 1814. 

37. Maj. Samuel, son of Benjamin, (17,) m. Temperance Spencer, 
May 30, 1776, who d. July 31, 1785, and he ra. Huldah Williams, 
Dec. 1786, and d. July 21, 1813. Ch: I. Benjamin, b. March 19, 
1777; II. Samuel, b. March 31, 1779; III. Chloe, b. Aug. 5, 1781, 
m. Philo Bronson ; IV. Temperance, b. March 18, 1784; V. Isaac, b. 
Aug. 18, 1787, d. 1787; VI. Sally, b. Oct. 14, 1791, d. 1798; VII. 
Isaac, b. Sept. 11, 1793 ; VIII. William, b. June 27, 1795, d. 1795 ; 
IX. John, b. Dec. 29, 1796; X.Ezra R., b. Oct. 19, 1801, d. 1805. 

38. Lt. Michael, son of Capt. Ezra, (18,) m. Eunice, dau. of Joseph 
Nichols, Julys, 1776, and d. July 25, 1822. His widow d. 1841. 
Ch : I. Clarissa, b. Sept. 30, 1776, m. A. Bronson ; II. Horatio Gates, 
b. Oct. 2, 1777, d. Oct. 23, 1825 ; HI. Hannah, b. Feb. 12, 1780, m. 
Joel Scott; IV. Ezra, b. Dec. 6, 1783. 

39. Mark, son of Capt. Ezra, (18,) m. Esther, dau. of Joseph Hop- 
kins, Sept. 16, 1784, and d. 1797. His widow d. Jan. 19, 1814. Ch : 
I. Henry, b. Aug. 4, 1787 ; Nancy, b. June 21, 1789, m. Cyrus Clark, 
Esq. ; III. a dau., b. 1792, d. young; IV. Esther, b. Jan. 28, 1794, d. 
1795 ; V. Edward. 

40. Deacon Stephen, son of Thomas, Esq., (19,) m. Sarah, dau. of 
Caleb Hummaston, May 17, 1764, and d. Dec. 15, 1809. His widow 
Sarah d. July 27, 1822. Ch : I. Mercy, b. Dec. 17, 1764, m. John 
Kingsbury, Nov. 6, 1794, and d. March 21, 1813 ; II. Jesse, b. June 9, 
1766, d. Feb. 4, 1788, unmarried ; HI. John, b. Aug. 14, 1768, d. Jan. 
22, 1782 ; IV. Susanna, b. Dec. 26, 1770, d. Oct. 21, 1773 ; V. Con- 
tent Hummaston, b. May 14, 1773, d. March 28, 1806, unmarried; 
VI. Bennet, b. Nov. 14, 1775, d. Dec. 11, 1850. (See p. 379.) VII. Su- 
sanna, b. April 6, 1780, m. Joseph Burton, June 23, 1805, d. July 14, 
1811. 

41. Deacon Daniel, son of Thomas, Esq., (19,) m. Esther, dau. of 
Dea. Andrew Bronson, July 19, 1770. She d. June 24, 1719, and he 
d. Nov. 2, 1824. Ch : I. Leva, b. March 25, 1771, d. 1775 ; IL Noah, 
b. Sept. 9, 1773, m. Huldah, dau. of Jacob Sperry, Dec. 28, 1795. 
She d. 1829. He m. 2d, Chloe, dau. of Ward Peck ; IIL Asa, b. 
Nov. 8, 1775, drowned in 1780; IV. Leva, b. April 19, 1778, d. in 
1800 ; V. Balinda, b. May 21, 1780, d. 1798 ; VL and VIL— b.Nov. 9, 
1782, d. the same day; VIIL Esther, b. April 25, 1784, m. William 
Comes; IX. Orra, b. June 3, 1786, m. Philander Porter, and d. Jan. 



APPENDIX. 477 

11, 1836; X. Asa, b. Sept. 8, 1V88, m. Ruth Prindle ; XL Andrew, 
b. Dec. 14, 1791, d. 1792. 

42. Thomas, son of Thomas, Esq., (19,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Capt. 
Samuel Hickox, Aug. 25, 1774. His wife d. March 15, 1813, and he 
died the next day. Ch : I. Molly, b. March 18, 1775, m. Daniel 
Hickox, d. March 24,1813; H. Sally, b. 1777, d. in 1840; HI. EHza- 
beth, m. Titus Foote of Watertown, March 12, 1804, d. Oct. 8, 1841; 
IV. Anne, b. 1786, m. Bela Hotchkiss, d. April 18, 1840. 

43. Joseph, son of Ebenezer, (21,) m. Sarah, dau. of Doct. Preserved 
Porter, Dec. 23, 1784, and d. 1851. His wife d. Sept. 1839. Ch : I. 
Sarah G., b. July 21, 1785, d. 1794 ; H. Nancy F., b. Aug. 13, 1787 ; 
HI. Lavinia, b. Sept. 9, 1789 ; IV. Cloe, b. Jan. 28, 1791 ; V. Pre- 
served P., b. May 1, 1794. 

44. Amasa, son of Ebenezer, (21,) m. Sarah, dau. of Samuel Frost, 
Jr., March 31, 1788. Ch : I. Lucina, b. Dec. 21, 1789 ; II. Billy, b. 
Nov. 14, 1791, d. 1794; III. Philomela, b. Jan. 21, 1794; IV. Billy 
A., b. June 14, 1796 ; V. Samuel M., b. Jan. 2, 1800; VI. Julius G., 
b. Dec. 21, 1801 ; VII. Sarah, b. Feb. 22, 1805. 

45. Ethel, son of Capt. Isaac, (22,) m. Hepzibah, dan. of Joseph 
Hopkins, Esq., Dec. 30, 1787. (See p. 374.) Ch : I. and II. twins, b. 
Sept. 11,1790, d. same day; HI. Alfred, b. Oct. 13, 1791, d. 1792; 
IV. Erastus, b. Feb. 18, 1793; V.Betsey, b. May 6, 1795; VI. Em- 
ma, b. Sept. 7, 179.7; VII. Isaac, b. Aug. 19, 1800, d. Dec. 31, 
18 00; VIH. Isaac H. (See p. 375.) 

46. Bexnet, son of Stephen, (40,) m. Anne, dau. of Richard Smith, 
of Roxbiny, May 11, 1801. She d. March 4, 1819, and he m. 2d, 
Elizabeth, dau. of Dea. Benjamin Maltby, of Branford, May, 1820. She 
d. June 12, 1840, and he m. 3d, Nancy, dau. of Jacob Dagget, of New 
Haven, May 27, 1841. He, Bennet, d. Dec. 11, 1850. (See p. 379.) 
Ch: I. George, b. Feb. 27, 1802, d. July 21, 1822; II. Henry, b. 
Jan. 30, 1804, m. June 3, 1831, Sarah Miles, dau. of Samuel Lathrop, 
and grand-dau. of Joseph Lathrop, D. D,, of West Springfield, Mass. ; 
HI. Jesse, b. Feb. 8, 1806, d. April 14, 1831, unmarried. He was a 
physician in North Haven; IV. Thomas, b. June 4, 1808, d. April 
20, 1851; V. Elizabeth Anne, b. March 3, 1812, d. April 6, 1845, 
unmarried; VL Susanna, b. Feb. 26, 1814, d. Aug. 12, 1814; VH. 
Harriet Maria, b. Sept. 13, 1815, m. Dec. 8, 1841, Zina K. Murdock, 
of Madison, now of Meriden; VII. Rebecca Tainter, b. Feb. 10, 1822, 
m. Douglas F. Maltby, and d. Aug. 8, 1845; VIIL Susan, b. Jan. 
19, 1824. 



478 HISTOE-S OF WATEKBUEY. 



BROWN. 



1. Francis Brown m. Mary Edwards in England, came to this coun- 
try, and settled in New Haven. He was one of the company who came 
to New Haven in advance of the Colony, and spent the winter of 1C37 
and 1638 in a hut located on what is now the corner of Church and 
George streets. He signed the Colony Constitution in 1G39. Ch. : 
Lydia, John, Eleazer, Samuel and Ebenezer. 

2. Samuel, son of Francis, (1,) m. Mercy Tuttle, May 2, 166'7. Ch. : 
I. Abigail, b. March, 11, 1669, d. young; H. Sarai, b. Aug. 8, 1672 ; HI. 
Rachel, b. April 14, 1677 ; IV. Francis, b. Oct. 7, 1679 ; V. Gideon, b. 
July 12, 1685; VI. Samuel, b. Oct. 29, 1699. 

3. Francis, son of Samuel, (2,) m. Hannah Ailing, April 11, 1705. Ch. : 
I. John, b. May 14, 1706 ; II. Samuel, b. Oct. 6, 1708 ; III. Mehitabel, b. 
April 9, 1711 ; IV. Stephen, b. Aug. 10, 1713 ; V.Timothy, b. April 10, 
1716. 

4. Stephen, son of Francis, (3,) m. Mabel Bradley,Sept. 27, 1739. Ch. : 
I. Hannah, b. Feb. 26, 1740-41 ; II. Mabel, b. May 26, 1743 ; HI. Sybil, 
b. Dec. 28, 1745 ; IV. Stephen, b. Jan. 15, 1750-51 ; V. Olive, b. May 
28, 1756 ; VI. Rebekah, b. May 30, 1757 ; VII. Phebe, b. July 8, 1759. 

5. Stephen, son of Stephen, (4,) settled at Windsor, m. Eunice Loomis, 
Nov. 1775. Ch. : I. James, b. Dec. 2, 1 776 ; II. Stephen, b. April 30, 1778, 
m. Ruth M. Loomis, d. in Bloorafield, Jan. 27, 1842-; III. Bradley, b. Dec. 
13, 1679, d. Sept. 16, 1845, in Champion, N. Y. ; IV. Eunice, b. Jan. 
29, 1781, m. John Robinson, and d. in Rochester, N. Y., Feb. 1846 ; V. 
Sarah, b. Jan. 27, 1782, m. N. Parsons of Chariemont, Mass. ; VI. Mar- 
tha, b. Dec. 23,1784, m. Ichabod Loomis, is living in Cheshire, Mass. ; 
VII. Rebecca, b. Deo. 1786, is living in Bloomfield, Conn. ; VIII. A son, b. 
Feb. 11, 1789, d. in infancy ; IX. A son, b. April, 1790, d. in infancy ; X. 
Jesse, b. May 17, 1791, now living in Paulding Co.,^Ohio; XL Melinda, b. 
Feb. 14, 1795, m. Wm. P. Briggs, d. in Richmond, Vt., March 15, 1849 ; 
XIL Oliver, b. Dec. 23, 1798, now living in Waterbury ; XIII. Mabel P., 
(by second wife,) b. Feb. 12, 1812, resides in Gran by, Mass.^ 

6. Col. James, (see p. 387,) son of Stephen, (5,) settled in Waterbury 
about 1798, m. Levinia AVelton, and d. July 24, 1848. Ch. : I. Philo, b. 
Jan. 26, 1803 ; IL William, b. June 16, 1804 ; IIL Mary Ann, d. in 
infancy; IV. Augustus, b. Aug. 20, 1811 ; V. ^ames, b. July 2, 1815. 

7. Oliver, son of Stephen, (5,) m. Lucy Hicks of Cheshire, Mass., 
Oct. 20, 1824, and located in Pittsfield, Mass. In May, 1836, he re- 
moved to Waterbury. Ch. : I. Henry, b. Nov. 5, 1825, d. in infancy; 
H. Oliver J., b. Aug. 9, 1827, m. Emily Latimer of Simsbury ; III. 
Lucy J., b. June 2, 1830. 



APPENDIX. 479 

8. Philo, son of James, (6,) m. Esther, dau. of Giles Ives, Cb. : 
I. William Henry, b. April 6, 1827, m. Ellen A. Ives of Hartford; II. 
Cornelia A., b. April 10, 1834, m. Theodore S. Buel. 

9. William, son of James, (6,) m. Scarab S., dau. of Judge Kings- 
bury, who d. May 30, 1840, and be m. 2d, Rachel Vienna, dau. of Asa 
Fenn of Middlebury, March 25, 1844. Cb. : I Marcia Bronson, b. July 
31, 1832, d. Dec. 14, 1851 ; II. Robert K., b. Dec. 6, 1833, m. Elizabeth 
N. Middlebrook of Bridgeport; III. Eliza Jane, b. April 1, 1836 ; IV. 
A son and a dau., b. May 1, 1840, d. in infancy; V. Frederick James, b. 
Sept. 30, 1855. 

10. Augustus, son of James, (6,) m. Frances Elizabeth, dau. of Joseph 
Burton. She d. April 10, 1851, and he m. Sophia, dau. of Jacob De 
Groff of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1856. Ch. : I. Charles Augus- 
tus, b. Jan. 11, 1845 ; II. Francis Elizabeth, b. March 23, 1848. 

11. James, son of James, (6,) m. Charlotte E., dau. of Oliver Todd, 
of Plymouth, Ch, : I. Frances Augusta, b. April 1, 1836, d. Jan. 19, 
1837 ; II. Sarah Josephine, b. Sept. 30, 1839 ; III, Rosa Elizabeth, b. 
Nov, 25, 1849, 

BUCKINGHAM. 

1. Thomas Buckingham came from England to Boston with Da- 
venport, Eaton and Peter Prudden, June 26, 163Y. In April, 1638, he 
went to New Haven, and thence to Milford in Nov. 1639. Hiuraan 
says that he, Thomas, was a Welchman, and that he died in Boston, 
in 1657, while thera on business. He. m. first, Hannah, and second, 

Ann, His children were, I. Hannah, b, 1632, m, Welch ; II, 

Daniel, b. 1636, m. 1st, Sarah Fowler, 2d, Mrs. Alice Newton, He 
was a sergeant of militia, also an elder of the church at Milford. He 
d. May 2, 1711. His ch. were Daniel, Mary, Thomas, John, Gideon, 
Josiah, and perhaps others; III. Samuel, bap. June 13, 1641, m. Sa- 
rah Baldwin, Dec. 14, 1663. (See paragraph 2, and onward, for his 
descendants.) IV. Mary, bap. March 27, 1643 ; V. Rev. Thomas, 
bap. in 1646. Where he was educated, is not known. He was at 
Wethersfield and Hartford, as early as 1664, and continued some 
time at Hartford, where he m, Esther, dau, of Thomas Hosraer, Sept. 
20, 1666. He received a call from Saybrook, where he was or- 
dained in 1670, and continued to preach until his death, which oc- 
curred April 1, 1709. He was a fellow of Yale College, He held a 
high rank among the clergy of his time, and the strict Puritans of 
the Colony, and was one of their leaders. 



480 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

2. Samuel, son of Thomas, (1,) m. Sarah Baldwin, Dec. 14, 16G3. 
He resided at Milford, where he d. April 9, IVOO. He had the fol- 
lowing ch. : I. Sarah, b. Jan. 8, 1664, m. Barnabas Baldwin; H. Mary, 
b. Oct. 3, 1666, d. in childhood ; HI. Samuel, b. Oct. V, 1667, d. 
Feb. 21, 1668; IV. Samuel, b. Nov. 1, 1668; V. Hannah, b. March 

24, 1670-71; VI. Tuomas, b. June 25, 1672, m. Mary , d. 

about 1703 ; VII. Ann, b. June 17, 1674 ; VIII. Mary, b. March 13, 
1676; IX. Hester, b. May 4, 1677, m. Richard Piatt. 

3. Samuel, son of Samuel, (2,) m. Sarah , and d. Oct. 29, 

1708. Ch : I. Thomas, b. about 1699, m. Mary Woodruff", Jan. 9, 
1723; II. Nathaniel, b. about 1701, m. Sarah Smith, May 30, 1728; 

III. Mary, b. about 1703. 

4. Thomas, son of Samuel, (3,) m. Mary Woodruff", Jan. 9, 1723. 
She came to Westbury, now Watertown, with her son Thomas, and 
d. 1790. Their ch. were as follows: I. Mary, b. Sept. 16, 1724, m. 
Gideon Piatt, Feb. 28, 1756 ; 11. Samuel, b. Jan. 29, 1725-6, d. 
July 16, 1726; III. Thomas, b. May 19, 1727, settled in W\aterbury ; 

IV. Epinetus, bap. Jan. 10, 1731, d. unmarried ; V. Hannah, bap. 
Aug. 13, 1733, m. Abner Gimn, of New Milford; VI. Benjamin, 
bap. Jan. 2, 1736-7, settled in New Milford about 1760. 

5. Thomas, son of Thomas, (4,) m. Sarah Treat, removed in 1772 
from Milford to Waterbury, the southwestern part of what is now 
called Watertown, and d. Jan. 27, 1796, His widow Sarah, d. Jan. 
11, 1802, Ch, : I, Sarah, m. Gamaliel Clark; II, Jean, m. Richard 
Bryan; III, Isaac, d. young; IV. Epenetus, m. Ann Welton ; V. 

Mary, m. 1st, Eli Hickox, 2d, Bradley, and d. Sept. 7, 1837 ; VI. 

David, b. March 14, 1760; VII. Dan, m. Philena Garnsey. Mary 
and David remained in Watertown ; the others removed to the State 
of New York. 

6. David, son of Thornas, (5,) m, Chloe, dau. of John Merril, 
March 14, 1785, and d. Feb, 6, 1832. She d. Dec. 18, 1841. Cli : 
I, John, b. Oct, 17, 1786; II. Sarah, b, Feb. 16, 1790, m. William 
H, Merriman, son of Charles Merriman,* of Watertown ; III. Chloe, 



* lie, Charles, was son of Amasa and Sarah Meniman, of AVallin!;ford, and was born Aug. 
2 I, 1702. He enlisted into the army of the Revolution as a drummer, in 177G, — became drum- 
major, and served through tlie war. He m. May 16, 1784, Anna Punderson, of New Haven, 
and settled in Watertown, where he commenced the business of tailor, which he waH com- 
pelled to relinquish in consequence of ill health After having " ridden post "from New Haven 
to Suffield, four years, and made a voyage to the West Indies, he commenced the mercantile 
business in Watertown, in which he continued until 1S29. He had a genial nature, and was 
distinguished for decision of character and stern integrity. His death occurred Aug. 26, 
1S29. His wife survived him, and d. at Watertown, April 1, 1844, aged 80. Their ch. were : I. 



APPENDIX. 481 

b. Dec. 13, 1798, ra. Thomas B. Hickox in 1818, and removed to 
Ohio in 1837. Ch : Mary, (d. 1852,) Daniel, John B. and Elizabeth, 
IV. David, b. May 28, 1801, m. Emeline, dau. of Caleb Hickox, in 
1823, who d. April 11, 1835. He d. Dec. 18, 1842, leaving a dau. 
Chloe E., b. Aug. 29, 1827, who m. Moses S. Beach of N. Y., Sept. 
2, 1845 ; V. George, b. Oct. 2, 1807, m. Betsey, dau. of Levi Merriam, 
May 13, 1834, and removed to Ohio. Ch: George E., Mary and Sarah. 
7. John, son of David, (6,) m. Betsey, dau. of James ScovilI,Sept. 
10, 1809, and resides in Waterbury. His ch. are: I. Scovill M., b. 
Aug. 10, 1811, m. Charlotte Ann, dau. of Aaron Benedict, May 18, 
1835, and has a son, John A., b. April 1, 1839 ; H. Mary, b. May 17, 
1815, m. Abram, son of Doct. Ambrose Ives, Feb. 25, 1839; has a 
dau. Sarah C, b. March 16, 1840. 

CASTLE. 

1. Henry Castle emigrated from Stratford to Woodburv with the 
early settlers of tbe last named place, and d. in 1698. His descend. 
ants are somewhat numerous at Woodbury, Roxbury, Waterbury and 
vicinity. The First church records of Woodbury show that he had the 
following ch. : I. Henry ; II. Samuel ; III. Isaac ; IV. Abigail ; V. Mary; 
A^I. Mercy ; all bap. at AVoodbury by Rev. Zecheriah Walker, Sept. 
1686; VH. William, bap. 1688. 

2. Henry, son of Henry, (1,) was a leading man in that part of 
Woodbnry (Roxbury soc.) where he resided. He had three sons. and 
three daughters. (See Cothren's Woodbury, p. 528.) 

3. Samuel, son of Henry, (1,) m. and had a dau. bap. at Woodbury 
in 1693. 

4. Isaac, son of Henry, (1,) lived in Woodbury, and had : I. Isaac, 
bap. Aug. 9, 1707, settled in Waterbury; II. Samuel, bap. Aug. 9, 
1707 ; m. Sarah, bap. March, 1708; IV. Daniel, bap. Oct. I7l7; V. 
Israel, b. April 18, 1722. 



Charles P., d. 1794 ; II. Betsej', m. Doct. Samuel Elton, a well known physician of VVatertown. 
She is living, a-ed about 70 ; III. William II., b. Sept. 26, 17SS. lie m. Sarah Buckingham, as 
above, and settled in Watertown — was an enterprising merchant — removed to Waterbury, 
where he now resides. Ch : Charles B., b. Oct. 9, 1S'J9, m. Margaret, dau. of Doct. Edward 
Field, and lives in Waterbury; Sarah A., b. Sept. 27, 18U, m. 1st, Thomas C. Morton, and 2d, 
James M. L. Scovill; Joseph P., b. Sept. 24, 1813, m. Julia, dau. of Hawkins Judd ; David, b. 
1816, d. 1834; Henry, b. March 25, 1820; IV. Nancy, b. 1793, d. young; V. N.ancy, b. Oct. 
8, 1790, m. 1st, Elward E. Porter, 2d, Rev. Dr. Holcorab, Oct. 28, 1827; VI. Charles P., b. Auj. 
7, 1793, — became a merchant, removed to Savannah, Geo., and d. there, July 10, 1835; VII. 
Anna, b. July 7, 1811, m. Edward Hickox, and d. Aug. 19, 1842 ; VIII. Frederick, b. Aug. 
7, 1803, also a merchant; removed to Georgia, and d. in Alabama, Nov. 1,1836; IX William 
Punderson, b. Sept. 6, 1S15, also a merchant ; removed (o Augusta, Geo., and d. Sept. 3, 1839 ; 
X. George F., b. Aug. 5, 1S'J8, m., has a family and is living in Watertown. 

31 



483 HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 

5. William, son of Henry, (1,) lived in Woodbury, and Lis cb. were : 
I. Ann, bap. Jan. 1, 1721 ; 11. Rutb, bap. June 2, 1723 ; III. Jobn, bap. 
May 29, 1729 ; IV. Mercy, bap. May, 1727 ; V. Setb, bap. June, 1729 ; 
VI. Pliineas, settled in Waterbury ; VII, Tabiatba, bap. Oct. 14,1733. 

6. Isaac, son of Isaac, (4,) settled in Waterbury and m. Tapher, dau. 
of John Warner, Jan. 21, 1723. She d. July 20, 1740, and he m. Dec. 
21, 1740, Lydia, dau. of Richard Scott of " Sunder Land." His ch. 
were: I. Asahel, b. Aug. 28, 1725; 11. Sarah, b. Nov. 5, 1727; III. 
Mary, b. Oct. 25, 1730,m. Wm. Judd in 1752, and d. in 1777 ; IV. Lydia, 
b. Feb. 25, 1735 ; V, Abisha, b. Jan. 26, 1738 ; VI. Tapher, b. Oct. 3, 
1741 ; VII. Elizabeth, b. April 20, 1743 ; VIII. Isaac, b. Feb. 5, 1745, d. 
1760; IX. Mehitable, b. Sept. 5, 1747 ; X. Richard, b. Dec. 5, 1749 ; 
XI. Daniel, b. Feb. 16, 1752; XII. Amasa, b. April 6, 1755; XIII. 
Jedediab, b. July 2, 1757. 

7. Capt. PHiNEAs,son of William, (5,) was b. at Woodbury, March 
25, 1731, and bap. May 2, 1731. lie m. Mary Dickerraan of Hara- 
den, who was b. Sept. 2, 1743. He settled in Waterbury, was captain 
in the French and Indian war, and also served in the Revolution. He 
d. Sept. 25, 1815, and his wid. Mary, d. Dec. 20, 1817. Ch. : I. Mehit- 
able, b. Jan. 24, 1768, m. Ashbel Upson and settled in Wolcott; II. 
Mary, b. Feb. 24, 1770, m. Woodward Ilotchkiss and settled in Pros- 
pect, (see Hotchkiss family;) III. Tabiatba, b. March 19, 1772, m. 

Barrett, settled in Berlin, lost her husband and m. Frederick Hotchkiss 
of Prospect and d. in 1850 ; IV. Rhoda, b. April 3, 1774, ra. Eber 
Smith of Burlington, and d. Sept. 1, 1805; V. Phineas, b. April 25, 
1776, m. Olivia Deane and settled in Camden, N. Y. ; VI. Esther, b. 
April 24, 1778, m. James Alcott and settled in Wolcott; VII. Seth, b. 
June 12, 1780, m. Olive Stephens, settled in Salina, N. Y. ; VIII. 
Chloe, b. June 3d, 1782, d. 1807 ; IX. Samuel D., b. Nov. 3, 1784, ra. 
Sarah Brockett, removed to Camden, N. Y. ; X. Sally, b. Aug. 15, 

1788, m. Thompson, and soon after died. All of this ftxmily left 

or have children, except Chloe, and most of them large families. Many 
of them lived to great age. 

8. Asahel, son of Isaac, (6,) m. Deborah, dau. of Gideon Allen, 
May 22, 1745, and had : I. Tapher, b. Feb. 24, 1746 ; II. Levi, b. Oct. 
23, 1747 ; IIL Joel, b. Dec. 30, 1751 ; IV. Simeon, b. May 18, 1753; 
V. John, b. April 24, 1755. 

9. Abisha, son of Isaac, (6,) m. ^Miriam, dau. of Ebenezer Bradley, 
March 14, 1760. Ch. : L Bradley, b. Dec. 5, 1761, d. 1777 ; IL Asher, 
b. May 10, 1763 ; IH. Sarah, b. April 29, 1765 ; IV. Philo, b. Feb. 16, 



APrENDix. 4S3 

1768 ; V. Molly, b. July 16, 1770 ; YL Rosauna, b. July 17, 1775; 
VII. Samuel, b. April 24, 1777. 

CLARK. 

1. Thomas,* son of William, of Northampton, Mass., and Lebanon, /' ^ 
Conn., m. Sarah, dau. of John Stronsj of Windsor, June 27, I7l7, and V L > 
settled m Waterbury. Sarah, his wife, d. Sept. 10, 1749, aged abotit 

53, and he m. 2d, Mary, wid. of Benjamin Harrison, July 30, 1760, and 
d. Nov. 12, 1764. His ch. were, L Mary, b. Oct. 31, 1718; m. Ben- 
jamin Harrison, Jr.; 11. Timothy, b. March 22, 1720-1, d. Nov. 22, 
1727; in. Sarah, b. Dec. 13, 1723, m. Stephen Upson; IV. Han- 
nah, b. Jan. 31, 1726-7 ; V. Hepzibah, b. Oct. 17, 1729, m. Joseph Hop- 
kins; VL Timothy, b. May 19, 1732 ; VIL Esther, b. Jujie_22^.l735, 
m. Phineas Porter ; VIIL Thomas, b. Jan. 26, 1737-8 ; IX. David, b. 
April 25, 1740. 

2. Timothy, son of Thomas, (1,) m. Sarah, dau. of Stephen Hopkins, 
Dec. 4, 1756. She d. Oct. 21, 1757, and he m. 2d, Hannah, dau. of 
Isaac Bronson, June 13, 1759. She d. Sept. 15, 1783, and he m. 3d, 
Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Porter. He d. Sept. 18, 1824. Ch. : L 
Sarah, b. Oct. 9, 1757, d. May 6, 1770; IL Asahel, b. July 16, 1760, 
d. Dec. 16, 1787; IIL William, b. June 11, 1763, m. Sarah Carring- 
ton of New Haven, April 14, 1785; IV. Eli, b. Oct. 2, 1764; V. 
Molly, b. Oct. 10, 1766, d. Sept. 14, 1856. 

3. Thomas, son of Thomas, (1,) in. Mary, dau. of Daniel Iline of New 
Milford, March 20, 1765. Ch. : I. Daniel, b. Dec. 30, 1765, d. in infancy; 
H. " Rusha," b. July 13, 1767, d. March 7, 1813 ; IH. Sarah, b. June 5, 
1770, m, Lemuel Harrison; IV. Daniel, b. April 19, 1772; V. Aure- 
lia, b. Feb. 8, 1779, (the family record says 1780,) now living, unm., 
1857. 

4. David, son of Thomas, (1,) m. Hannah, dau. of Samuel Nichols 
of Lebanon, Oct. 27, 1772. He had one child, Hannah, b. June 5, 
1774, and m. Reuben Adams. 

5. Eli, son of Timotliy, (2,) ra. Rebecca, dau. of Aaron Benedict, 
Dec. 20, 1792, and d. Dec. 20, 1843. Ch. : L Joseph, b. Nov. 3, 
1793, d. Sept. 7, 1816 ; IL Polly, b. July 31, 1796, m. Merlin Mead of 
South Salem, N. Y., Nov, 10, 1820; IIL Maria, b. March 12, 1799, m. 
1st, Solomon Smith of N. Y., May 13, 1820, who d. April 10, 1822, 
and she m. 2d, John T. Baldwin, of New Milford, Oct. 27, 1831 ; IV. 



* See p. 143 of this work. 



484 IIISTOKY OF AVATERBITRY. 

Ilarriet, b. Nov, 30, 1802, lu. Edward Scovill, Aug. 21, 1823; V. Ed- 
ward, b. June 4, 1805, ni. Caroline Smith, and 2d, Maria Stone; VI. 
Eli Benedict, b. Feb. 22, 1808, m, Cornelia DeWott ; VII. Charles, b. 
Nov. 20, 1810,111. Harriet Blakesloe, and settled at Cayahoga Falls, 
Ohio; VIII. Mary Ann, b. July 30, 1813; IX. Timothy B., b. Nov. 10, 
1815, m. Elvira Calkin and removed to Iowa; X. James, b. Sept. 18, 
1818, in. Sarah Maria Silliman, and settled at Iowa City, Iowa. 

6. Daniel, son of Thomas, (3,) m. Polly, dau. of Isaac Lewis, Fob. 10, 
1793. She d. and he m. Tolly Hitchcock. Ch. : I. Thomas, b. March 
11, 1794; II. Isaac Lewis, b. June 25, 1790; IIL Nancy, b. Sept. 
19, 1799. 

Other families of the name of Clark have rosi^lcd in Waterbury. 
The following are some of them. 

JosEi'ii Clark's will was proved Fob. 2, 17G2, by whioli it afipears he 
had ch., as follows: L Joseph, d. Jan. 15, 1749-50; H. Lydia, in. 

Wheeler ; III. Hannah, m. Plum ; IV. Tabiatha, m. Al- 

lyn ; V. Deborah, m. Sanfoid of New Haven ; VI. Diana, m. 

Curtiss; VII. Lucy, m. Benjamin Matthews. 

Joseph, son of Joseph above, m. Maiy, dau. of Abraham Clark, of 
Southing-ton, Dec. 8, 1741, and d. Jan. 15, 1749-50. Ch. : I. Mary, 
b. Oct. 3, 1743; II. Abner, b. May 12, 1745 ; IIL Ruth, b. Aug. 28, 
1747 ; IV. Lydia, b. Oct. 5, 1749. 

John Clakk, son of Joseph, ra. Hannah, dau. of Stephen Brooks 
of Farmington, Sept. 9, 1747. Ch. : L John, b. May 11, 1748. Samuel 
Clark, the son of Joseph, d. Sept. 28, 1749. 

Caleb Clark, of Waterbury, d. July 29, 1768. He had a son, 
Daniel, who m. April 12, 1759, Elizabeth, dau. of John Dowd, of Mid- 
dletown. Ch. : L Daniel, b. April 12, 17G0, d. next day ; IL Phebe, 
b. Dec. C, 1762 ; IIL Truman, b. Nov. 12, 1764. 

John Clark was born at Milford, about 1765. Ho settled in Water- 
bury and 111. Mille, dau. of Herman Munson, also of Waterbury, April 

9, 1788. After the birth of his children, he removed to New Milford, 
and thence, in 1818, to Medina, Ohio. He d. in 1829. His wid. was 
living in Ohio. 1855, aged 85. Ch. : L Sherman, b. Aug. 29, 1789 ; II. 
Polly, b. Nov. 19, 1791; IIL l>ansom, b. April 8, 1794; IV. Bela 
Bronson, b. Oct. 1, 1796 ; V. John Lines, b. Aug. 8, 1799 ; VL Amos, 
b. Dec. 3, 1801 ; VH. Jeremiah, b. Jan. 4, 1804; VIII. Anson, b. Dec. 

10, 1806, graduated at Kenyon college, Ohio, became an Episcopal 
clergyman, has held, successively, tlie rectorship of the parishes of St. 
Andrew's, Elyria, St. Paul's, Norwalk, St. Philip's, Circleville, and St. 
Timothy's, Massillon, all in Ohio. In 1854, he accepted the rectorship 



APPENDIX. 485 

of Emmanuel church, in the city of Rockforr], Illinois, where he now 
lives; IX. Abel, K July 12, 1812. 

COOK.* 

1. IIenri' Cook was at Plymouth, Mass., before 1640. lie had sons, 
Isaac, John, Henry and Samuel. Isaac is supposed to have remained 
at Plymouth, and John to have settled at Middletown. Henry and 
Samuel settled at Wallingford, and are the ancestors of most of the 
name of Cook in Connecticut, and of many in various parts of the 
country. 

2. Samuel, son of Henry, (1,) was among the first settlers of Wal- 
lingford, and signed the fundamental articles of that town in 1670. 
He ra. 1st, Hope, dau. of Edward Parker of New Haven, May 2, 1667, 
2d, Mary Roberts, July 14, 1690. lied, in March, 1702, aged 61. He 
had a son, Samuel, b. March 3, 1668. 

3. IIrnrt, son of Henry, (1,) was early at Vv'allingford. He had a 
son, Henry, who settled in Waterbury. 

4. Samuel, son of Samuel, (2,) m, 1st, Hannah Merriman, about 
1690, who d. May, 1713, and 2d, Elizabeth Bedell of Stratford, and d. 
Sept. 1725. He had five sons and nine daus. One of his sons, Moses^ 
settled in Waterbury. 

5. Henry, son of Henry, (3,) was admitted an inhabitant of Water- 
bury in 1728. Ch. : Ebenezer, Samuel, Henry, Thankful and Jon- 
athan. 

6. Moses, eldest son of Samuel, (4,) was b. in "Wallingford, Nov. 6, 

1716. He m. Sarah , and settled in Branford, where three' of bis 

children were born. He removed thence to Waterbury, where his wife 
died in Jan. 1760, and be m. Dinah, wid. of Benjamin Harrison, who 
d. in Oct. 1792. He was struck on the head with a "flat-iron " by an 
Indian, who mistook him for another person, and d. Dec. 12, 1771, (see 
p. 368.) Ch. : I. Charles, b. 1741, d. Aug. 11, 1764 ; II. Moses, b. May 
30, 1744 ; HI. Sarah, b. June 1.3, 1747, d. April 5, 1823, unra. ; IV. 
Esther, b. 1750, m. Joseph Beebe ; V. Elizabeth, b. May 15, 1752, m. 
Benjamin Baldwin; VI. Hannah, b. Jan. 11, 1755, m, Titus Bronson ; 
VII. Lydia, b. May 27, 1765, m. Hickox. 

7. Edenezer, son of Henry, (5,) settled in Northbury, and m. Phebe, 
dau. of Moses Blakeslee, May 10, 1744. Ch. : I. Huldah, b. April 26, 

* The ancestors from whom moat of the Cooks in New England trace their rleacent, came / 
from Hereford-shire and Kent, in England. The ancestral braceh from whom those of the 
name trace their origin, now resident in varioos parts of thia State, came from Kent, and were 
of the Puritan stock. 



486 HISTORY OF WATERBUET. 

1745; 11. Joel, b. Aug. 5, 1746; III. Justus, b. May 25, 1748, grad. 
Yale Coll. ; IV. Jonah, b. Aug. 11, 1750; V. Eri, b. Oct. 20, 1752 ; 
VI. Rozell, b. May 1, 1755, grad. Yale Coll.; VII. Nise, b. April 17, 
1758 ; VIII. Arbe, b. April 4, 1760 ; IX.Lurenda, b. Sept. 20, 1764 ; X. 
Uri ; XI. Ebenezer, became a clergyman and resided at Montville, 
Conn. 

8. Henry, son of Henry, (5,) m. Hannah, dau. of Nathan Benham 
of Wallingford, Nov. 7, 1745, and settled in Northbury. Ch. : I. Thank- 
ful, b. Jan. 12, 1747; 11. Mary, b. March 30, 1748, d. June 11, 1760; 

III. Sarah, b. March, 1750, d. June 15, 1760; IV. Zuba, b. Dec. 24, 
1751, d. June 17, 1760 ; V. Lemuel, b. Dec. 7, 1754, d. June 24, 1760 ; 
VI. Selah, b. Dec. 19, 1756 ; VII. Trueworthy, b. Sept. 29, 1759. 

9. Jonathan, son of Henry, (5,) m. Ruth, dau. of William Luttington 
of North Haven, June 15, 1735, and settled in Northbury. Ch. : Jon- 
athan, b. March 29, 1736; II. Jesse, b. Feb. 1, 1739 ; HI. Titus, b. May 
2, 1741 ; IV. Sarah, b. Oct. 31, 1744 ; V. Abel, b. May 18, 1747. 

10. Moses, son of Moses, (6,) m. Jemima, dau. of Joseph Upson, 
Nov. 4, 1766. She d. March 6, 1821 ; he d.Dec. 28, 1831. Ch.: I. Jo- 
seph, b. Nov. 4, 1767 ; II. Lucy, b. Sept. 29, 1769, d. Dec. 8, 1835, 
unm.; IH. Daniel, b. Jan. 5, 1773 ; IV. Hannah, b. March 5, 1775, m. 
Horatio Upson; V. Anna, b. March 8, 1778, m. Mark Leavenworth ; 
VL Elias, b. Dec. 26, 1783, m. Hannah, dau. of Daniel Bartholomew of 
Plymouth, Nov, 16, 1813. She d. and he m. 2d, a Mrs. Bartholomew, 
and d. March 14, 1847. 

11. Joel, son of Ebenezer, (7,) m. Dinah Dunbar, Nov. 17, 1768. 
He lived in Northbury. Ch. : I. Levi, b. Sept. 17, 1769, d. unm.; II. 
Chloe, b. June 25, l77l, m. Emblem Barnes; Ill.Zenas, b. July 7, 1773 ; 

IV. Dinah, b. March 26, 1775, m. Jerome; V. Huldah, b. Dec. 

29, 1777, m. Truman Johnson; VI. Uri, b. Dec. 24, 1779; VH. Lucy, 
m. John Elden ; VIII. Sally, d. in early life ; IX.Phebe, m. Joel Griggs ; 
X. Joel, m. Polly Russell in Bradford Co., Pa. 

12. Joseph, son of Moses, (10,) m. Anna, dau. of Ezra Bronson, 
Esq., Aug. 1792. He d. Nov. 26, 1855 ; his wife ten hours afterwards. 
Both were buried in one grave. Ch. : I. Edward Bronson, b. March 
18, 1793 ; H. Samuel, b. Dec. 12, 1794; IH. Susan Judd, b, Oct. 25 
1797, m. Mark Leavenworth, Nov. 1844, and d. Dec. 16, 1848 ; IV 
Sally Leavenworth, b. Oct. 29, 1799, m. Solomon Curtiss of South 
ington; V. Nancy, b. Nov. 16, 1801, m. William Scovill of Middle 
town, in 1828 ; VL Nathan, b. Jan. 8, 1804 ; VH. George, b. April 8 
1806, d. Jan. 19, 1815 ; VIH. George William, b. Feb. 28, 1811. 

13. David, son of Moses, (10,) m. Nov. 25, 1799, Sally, dau. of Jacob 



APPENDIX. 487 

Spevry of Cheshire. Ch. : I. Marcus, b. Sept. 12, 1800, d. Feb. 9, 
1821 ; II. Sarah P., b. Aug. 1804, ni. Thos. B. Segur, in 1826; III. 
Moses Stiles, b. 1812, m. Polly S. Tolles in 1844. 

14. Zenas, son of Joel, (11,) m. 1st, Polly Lewis of Plymouth, Feb. 
1800, who d. in June, 1809, and he ra. 2d, Betsey, dau. of Col. Phineas 
Porter, May 20, 1810. He d. in Waterbury, April 25, 1851. She d. 
Oct. 1857. Ch. : I. William, b. April 17, 1802, m. Marilla Plumb, and 
removed to Michigan ; 11, Sarah Curtiss, b. Jan. 16, 1807 ; III. Geo. 
Lewis, b. June 5, 1809, now deceased; IV. Lucian Porter, _b. March 
18, 1811, ra. Sarah Judd, and removed to Georgia; V. Harriet M., b. 
Dec. 9, 1812, m. Henry P. Peck of Berlin ; VL Catharine L., b. July 
2, 1815, m. Augustus Smith of Plymouth, and removed to New Haven ; 
VIL Mary E., b. March 27, 1818. 

15. Edward Bronson, son of Joseph, (12,) m. Sept. 11, 1831, Dolly, 
dau. of Charles McClallan of Lancaster, Mass., and has a dau. Susan L., 
b. Aug. 1, 1833. He established the "Waterbury American," a well 
managed, weekly newspaper, in 1845-G. 

16. Samuel, son of Joseph, (12,) ra. Charity Warner, Nov. 7, 1813, 
and d. in 1835. His wid. m. Leveret Candee of Watertown. An 
only dau. Ann Maria, b. Sept. 8, 1815, m. Leveret E. Ptice, Dec. 
6, 1832. 

17. Nathan, son of Joseph, (12,) ra. Clarissa, dau. of Russell Rey- 
nolds of Plymouth, May 31, 1826, and has one son, Walter Hart, b. 
Sept. 26, 1837. 

18. George William, son of Joseph, (12,) grad. Yale Coll. in 1837, 
and m. Sept. 26, the same year, Emily C, dau. of Tho. Johnson of Mid- 
dletown. Ch.: I. Gertrude E. H., b. Oct. 29, 1838 ; IL Francis B., b. \ 
Sept. 14, 1840, d. June 29, 1841 ; III. Ella S., b. Oct. 7, 1842. . pj-^ 

^ DE FOREST\^,^_-f^ ^ ^ I 

1. Three brothers, Hendrick, Isaac and(David)De Fore&, (or De la 
Forest,) came to this country in the early parTof the seventeenth cen- 
tury. Hendrick and Isaac settled in New York. Hendrick soon died, 
and it is believed without children. The descendants of Isaac are nu- 
merous. One or more of his children settled in or near Albany, and in- 
termarried with the Dutch ; hence the name became corrupted, and 
many of his descendants are called De Frees, De Frieze or De Frest. 
David settled in Stratford, Conn. The following are his descendants in 
the male line. 

2. David, above, who settled in Stratford, d. in 1721, left six 
sons, as follows: David, b. 1702; Samuel, b. 1704; Isaac, b. 1706, 



488 HISTORY OF "WATEKBUEY. 

d. without descendants in the male line ; Edward, b. 1V08; Henry, b. 
1710; Benjamin, b. 1716. 

3. David, son of David, (2,) had sons: Samuel, no male issue ; David, 
Hezekiah, Elihu, Ephraim. 

4. Samcel, son of David, (2,) had sons: Joseph, b. 1731; Samuel, 
b. 1739, no male issue; Nehemiab, b. 1743; David, b. 1745; Josiah, 
b. 1748. 

5. Edavard, son of David, (2,) had, Isaac, b. 1736; Elisha, b. 1738 ; 
Edward, b. 1743; John, b. 1745; William, b. 1752, no male issue; 
Joseph, b. 1758. 

6. Henry, sou of David, (2,) had, Henry, b. 1750; Timothy, b. 
1751 ; David, b. 1755. Neither of them had sons. 

7. Benjamin, son of David, (2,) had Hezekiah, b. 1745; Nehemiah, 
b. 1748, no issue; Benjamin, b. 1749; Isaac, b. 1758; Oihniel, b. 
1761. 

8. David, son of David, (3,) had, Eliud, b. 1769; Samuel; David, 
no male issue ; Isaac; Clark, b. 1772. 

9. IIezekiau, son of David, (3,) had Uriah, no male issue ; Ilezekiah, 
b. 1770. 

10. Elihu, son of David, (3,) had, Joseph, no male issue ; David L., 
b. 1763 ; Benjamin, no male issue ; Bill Clark, no male issue. 

11. Ephraim, son of David, (3,) had, Nathan, b. 1765; Zalmon, 
b. 1770 ; Heniy, b. 1778 ; Samuel, b. 1784, no sons ; Ephraim B., b. 
1787. 

12. Joseph, son of Samuel, (4,) had, Samuel; Abel, b. 1761 ; Mills, 
b. 1763, no male issue; Elihu, b. 1777 ; Gideon. 

13. Nehemiah, son of Samuel, (4,) had, William, b. 1773 ; Lock- 
wood, b. 1775 ; Philo, b. 1779 ; Delauzun and Charles. 

14. David, son of Samuel, (4,) had, Isaac N. ; David L. ; Samuel ; 
Joseph. The first three had no. sons. 

15. Isaac, son of Edward, (5,) had Benjamin. 

16. Elisha, son of Edward, (5,) had, Isaac, b. 1768, no male issue ; 
Daniel, b. 1771, Lad Albert, who d. without male issue. 

17. Edward, son of Edward, (5,) had James, no male issue. 

18. John, son of Edward, (5,) had, Curtis; Philo, b. 1772 ; John ; 
Edward ; the two last no male issue ; James had a son James. 

19. Joseph, son of Edward, (5,) had, I. William, b. 1787, had sons, 
Charles P. and George ; II. Joseph, b. 1790, had William, Curtis W , 
Ransford S., John D., and Daniel A. ; III. Mitchell, b. 1797, had sons, 
Daniel and William ; IV. Curtis, b. 1803, had William, Darwin and 
Charles. 



ArFENDII. 489 

20. IIezekiah, son of Benjamin, (V,) had, Philo, b. 1782, ami Samuel 
A., b. 1784. 

21. Benjamin, son of Benjamin, (7,) had, David C, b. 1774; John 
II., b. 1776; Benjamin, b. 1780 ; Ezra, b. 1782. 

22. Isaac, son of Benjamin, (7,) had, Alonzo, b. 1788? Lemuel, b. 
1788; Aaron, b, 1790; Isaac, b. 1794; Grandison, b. 1797. None 
but the first had male issue. 

23. Othniel, son of Benjamin, (7,) had, Linson ; Sidney, no male 
issue ; Cliarles. 

24. Eliud, son of David, (8,) had, I. Hiram, b. 1793, had William J. ; 

II. Charles, b. 1796, had Harvey B. ; III. William, no sons; IV. Samuel, 
b. 1800, no sons ; V. David L., b. 1804, had John E. and Cyrus R. ; YI. 
Edward, b. 1806, had Charles E. and Samuel E. 

25. Samuel, son of David, (8,) had, William, no male issue ; Henry, 
do.; Ira. 

26. Isaac, son of David, (8,) had, I. David, who had Legrand and 
David L. ; II. Harvey, had George and Alanson B. ; HI. Lewis, no 
male issue; IV. Isaac J., had Josiah and Samuel J. 

27. Clark, son of David, (8,) had, I. Curtis, b. 1804, who had Sam- 
uel C, Ransille B. and William W.; H. Jared, b. 1807, had Vnlliam 
H. and Giles A.; IIL William C, b. 1811, had John W., Henry W., 
Daniel W. and Isaac; IV. George, b. 1812, had Sylvester, Charles H. 
and James. 

28. Hezekiaii, son of Hezekiah, (9,) had, I. Hiram O., b. 1794 ; II. 
Legrand, b. 1802, who had George B., Charles E. and Stephen C. 

29. David L., son of Elihu, (10,) had, I. Archibald, b. 1787, no 
male issue; II. Alfred, b. 1791, do.; III. Benjamin, had David L., Ben- 
jamin and Alfred A. 

30. Nathan, son of Ephraim, (11,) had, I. Henry, b. 1790, who had 
Edward, James, Hiram and John ; II. Samuel J., b. 1793, had George S. ; 

III. Silas G., b. 1794, had Gilbert; IV. J. Hoyt, b. 1800, had George ; 
V. Charles, b. 1808, had George and Charles. 

31. Zalmon, son of Ephraim, (11,) had, I. John W., no male issue; 
II. William S., b. 1815, had James H. 

32. Henry, son of Ephraim, (11,) had Henry E., b. 1818. 

33. Ephraim B., son of Ephraim, (11,) had, I. William S., b. 1812, 
who had Albert; H. Samuel II., b. 1827; IH. David C.,b. 1822, had 
Charles II. 

34. Samuel, son of Joseph, (12,) had, T. Marcus, no male issue ; II. 
Legrand, do. ; III. William C, had Joseph and Samuel. 

35. Abel, son of Joseph, (12,) had, I. Henry, who had William U, 



490 HISTOEY OF WATERBUKT. 

and Charles ; IL Mills, no male issue ; III, William ; IV. M. Delau- 
zun. had Samuel M. 

36. GiDEOx, son of Joseph, (12,) had, I. Lee, who had George and 
Henry S.; IL Abel B. ; III. Cyrus H., had Charles, Heman and 
James ; IV. Charles A., had Charles A., A. Henry, Dewitt C. and Ed- 
ward ; V. Tracy R., had Cyrus H., Lewis G., Charles L. and Albert W. 

37. William, son of Nehemiah, (13,) had, I. Isaac, who had Thomas 
and William; IL Lockwood M. ; IIL William, had Edward; IV. 
Marcus. 

38. Lockwood, son of Nehemiah, (13,) had, L W. Wheeler, b. 1794 ; 
II. George B., b. 1806, and had Benjamin L. and George B. ; III. 
Henry G., b. 1820, had Robert W. and Lockwood ; IV. James G., b. 
1822; V. Frederick L., b. 1825. 

39. Philo, son of Nehemiah, (13,) had Delauzun, b. 1808, who had 
George and William. 

40. Delauzun, son of Nehemiah, (13,) had William B., b. 1811, who 
had William A. 

41. Joseph, son of David, (14,) had, I. Isaac N., b. 1809, who had 
Moulton, Newton, Henry C, Theodore, Joseph and Charles; IL John J,, 
b. 1811 ; IIL James G.,"^b. 1817, and had John and Frank. 

42. Benjamin, son of Isaac, (15,) had, I. Isaac, b. 1791, who had 
Benjamin, Andrew and David ; II. David b. 1801, had David. 

43. Philo, sou of John, (18,) lived in Woodbury, had, I. Marcus, b. 
1794, who had John P., George and Marcus ; II. George, b. 1804. 

44. Philo, son of Hezekiah, (20,) had, I. Charles, who had Charles ; 
II. David D., had George H. and Frederick C. ; IIL John ; IV. Wil- 
liam, had Edward ; V. George. 

45. Samuel A., son of Hezekiah, (20,) had, I. Charles, who had Wil- 
liam L. and Francis E. ; II. Spencer H. 

46. David C, son of Benjamin, (21,) and founder of the "De Forest 
Fund" of Yale College, had a son, Carlos M., b. 1813. 

47. John IL, son of Benjamin, (21,) had, I. George S., b. 1812, who 
liad Henry W. ; IL Henry A., b. 1814 ; IIL Andrew W., b. 1817, had 
Edward L. and Charles S. ; IV. John W. 

48. Benjamin, son of Benjamin, (21,) had, I. John, b. 1806, who had 
Erastus L. ; II. Samuel S., b. 1811 ; III. Benjamin. 

49. Ezra, son of Benjamin, (21,) had, L David W., b. 1809; IL 
Iknjamin C, b. 1814, who had David W., Benjamin D. and Ezra. 

50. Alonzo, son of Isaac, (22,) had, I. Benjamin S., b. 1806 ; 
II. Ezekiel M., b. 1808; IIL Samuel S., b. 1811, had Frank B. ; IV. 
Aarou G., b. 1814. 



APPENDIX. 491 

51. LiNsox, son of Otbniel, (23,) had, I. diaries H., b. 1821 ; II. 
Linson, b. 1822, had William II. 

52. Charles, son of Othniel, (23,) had, I. Charles B., b. 1819, who 
had Charles E., Clarence R., Benjamin and William H. ; 11. Benjamin, 
b. 1821; III. Alfred, b. 1822; IV. Olhniel, b. 1826; V. David, b. 
1828; VI. Thomas B., b. 1832; VII. William H., b. 1837; VIII. 
Linson, b. 1839. 

GUERNSEY, or GARNSEY. 

1. Tradition saj's that John Guernsey emigrated from the Isle of 
Guernsey, near England, and settled at Milford, Conn., and that he is 
the progenitor of the following family. 

2. Joseph, said to be the son of John, (1,) appears at Milford, not as 
a free planter in 1639, but as an after planter; but John, his re- 
puted father, does not appear on record among either class of planters, 
or otherwise, that I have been able to discover. Joseph ra. Hannah, dau. 
of Samuel Coley, Sen., April 10, 1673, and had, Joseph, b. Jan. 13, 
1674; Hannah, b. March 4, 1678, and probably others. 

3. Joseph, son of Joseph, (2,) m. Elizabeth Disbrow, of Horseneck, 
who probably d. at Milford. He m. 2d, Eleanor, and removed to Wood- 
bury, Bethlera society, where his wife d. Sept. 15, 1753, aged 77. His 
death occurred Sept. 15, I75t,age.l 80. Ch. : I. Joseph, b. 1700; 
II. Ebenezer, b. 1702 ; III. Jonathan, b. 1704 ; IV. and V. Peter and 
John, b. April 6, 1709 ; VI. Betsey, ra. Joshua Baldwin, and remained 
at Milford. 

4. Joseph, son of Joseph, (3,) ra. Rachel , and settled in West- 
bury. Ch : I. Mary, m. Soloraon Steele, Oct. 16, 1760; II. Joseph, 
b. 1730; III. Ebenezer, b. 1731; IV. Philena, m. David Brown of 
Bethlem ; V. Anna, m. Daniel Steele; VI. Bethel, d. 1760, aged 22; 
YII. Abijah, b. about 1743; VIII, Job, b. 1744 or '46, d. unmarried, 
Feb. 18, 1825 ; IX. Rachel, d. May, 1751, aged 16. 

5. Ebenezer, son of Joseph, (3,) settled early in Durham, Conn. 
Ch. : Lemuel, Ebenezer, (a clei'gyraan,) Eleanor, Rhoda, Catharine^ 
Mary, Sarah and Anna. 

6. Dea. Jonathan, son of Joseph, (3,) m. Jan. 6, 1724-5, Abigail 
Northrop of Milford, who d. Oct. 18, 1756, and he m. 2d, Widow De- 
sire Scovil, Mar^h 10, 1757, and d. June 14, 1776. His widow d. Jan. 
2, 1795, aged 87. He bought land in Waterbury in 1729, and re- 
moved thither early in 1730, and settled near the present residence of 
Doct. Porter, East Main street. He and his brother purchased land in 



492 niSTOKT OF watekbukt. 

the nortliwest section of wliat is now Watertown, where he built a 
house and soon removed his family. The location is still known as 
Guernsey Town. Dea. Jonathan's two first ch. were born at Milford ; 
the others in Waterbury. They were as follows : I. Abigail, b. Oct, 29, 
1720, m. Eliphalet Clark, and d. June 17, 174C ; II. Jonathan, b. Feb. 
28, 1729 ; III. Amos, b. July 3, 1731 ; IV. David, b. April 12, 1734 ; 

V. Sarah, b. July 7, 1736, m. Timothy Foote, and d. Oct. 22, 1777 ; 

VI. Samuel, b. Feb. 8, 1739 ; VII. Isaac, b. Dec. 11, 1741. 

7. Peter, son of Joseph, (3,) m. Anne Gunn of Milford, Dec. 9, 1731, 
and removed to Bethlem. Ch. : I. Solomon, m. Nov. 15, 1764, Sarah, 
dau. of James Kasson of Bethlem; II. Richard, m. Eunice Mallory of 
"Washington. She belonged to the family that was murdered by Daven- 
port, lie removed to Colebrook — had a son, Milo, who became a pliy- 
sician, also a dau. Polly, who d. in Bethlem, July 9, 1788, aged 18 ; 
III. Anna, b. 1734, ra. Ebenezer Guernsey, d. Feb. 6, 1804 ; IV. Eliza- 
beth ; V. Abigail ; VI. Sarah. 

8. John, son of Joseph, (3,) m. Ann, dau. of Dea. Jeremiah Peck, 
and grand-dau. of Rev. Jeremiah Peck. lie settled in Litchfield, North- 
field society, removed thence to Ainenia, N. Y. Ch. : I. John, b. Oct. 
28, 1734, m. March 24, 1757, Azubah Buel ; II. Anna, b. Oct. 1736; 
III. Peter, b. Nov. 13, 1738, went to Stanford, N. Y., where he has de- 
scendants; IV. Nathan, b. May 14, 1741, settled in Northfield, and re- 
moved thence to Half Moon; V. Dorcas, b. Feb. 23, 1744; VI. Noah, 
b. Aug. 18, 1746, settled in Northfield, m. June 7, 1770, Hannah Hol- 
lister, and d. Sept. 18, 1820; VII. Daniel, b. May 30, 1749, went to 
Ballston, N. Y., thence to Upper Canada; VIII. Lois, b. June 15, 1751 ; 
IX. Eunice, b. Nov. 17, 1754 ; X. Isaac, b. Jan. 20, 1758. 

7. Joseph, son of Joseph, (4,) m. Mary Brown, April 3, 1764, lived in 
Watertown. His wife d. Nov. 6, 1806, aged 71 ; he d. Nov. 2, 1817. 
Ch. : I. Mary, b. June 14, 1755, ra. Amos Hitchcock ; II. Anna, b. Dec. 
10, 1757, m. Col. Aner Bradley, and d. July, 1844; IIL Bethel Chaun- 
cey, b. March 27, 1760, m. Betsey Mallory, and had Joseph, Landon, 
Chauncey, Bethel, Charlotte and Betsey. Charlotte ra. Henry S. At- 
wood and Betsey m. Harvey Atwood ; IV. Moranah, b.^Iarch 1, 1762, 
m. Demas Judd ; V. Luc)', b. May 22, 1764, m. Dr. E. Davis, and d. 
Sept. 1827; VL Joseph, b. June 18, 1766, m. Rachel, dau. of Samuel 
Guernsey, and had Joseph, Harriet, Rena, Smedley, Hawkins, Jennette 
and a ch. that d. young ; VII. Philena, b. April 28, 1768, ra. Dea. Buck- 
ingham ; YIII. Theodore, b. April 16, 1770, ra. Dioderaa Beach ; IX. 
Anthony, b. Aug. 18, 1773, m. Melliscent Skilton, who d. May 25, 1839, 
aged 66, and he m. 2d, Martha B. Skilton, June 7, 1841, and d. Dec. 30, 



APPENDIX. 403 

1848. He had no issue by first wife ; by second wife, Jarvis and Clem- 
entine ; X. Friend, b. June 23, 1775, m Sarah Castle, who d. Oct. 23, 
1801, and he m. Mary A. Atwood, and d. Oct, 20, 1835. His ch. 

were: Denrif, b. Sept. 22, 1796, ni. Esther Bryan; Augusta, m. 

Hawkins. 

10. Ebenezer, son of Joseph, (4,) m. Anna, dau. of Peter Guernsey. 
He lived in Bethlem, and d. Feb. 6, 1804. Ch. : I. Rachel, m. Titus 
Hotchkiss of Waterbury ; H. Eunice, m. Ebenezer Church ; HI. Philo, 
m. Irena Murray, went to Genesee, and d. about 1807 ; IV. Peter, b. 
Oct. 20, 1767, m. Lucina Minor of Woodbury, June 4, l793,-and d. 
Oct. 11, 1824. His ch. were, Lucy, m. 0. Cowles ; Mary, m. Joel At- 
wood; Melliscent, b. Oct. 12, 1801, in. Willis Downs, now of AVood- 
bury; Julia, b. Dec. 1805, d. 1828 ; Harriet, b. 1808, m. Harlow Rus- 
sell of Watertown; Susan, b. 1814, d. young; V. Anna, m. Moses 
W^right of Colebrook; VI. Abijah, b. April 1, 1774, m. Anne Hotch- 
kiss of Waterbury, April 16, 1797, and d. Oct. 16, 1846. He had 
Ebenezer, b. 1798, m. Maria Cowles of Bethlem; Althea, b. 1799, ni. 
Asahel Hotchkiss, and d. in Sharon, Sept. 9, 1836 ; Hannah, m. Amos 
Hotchkiss of Sharon; Doiha, b. 1803 ; Minerva, b. 1805; Henrietta, 
b. 1808, m. Amos Clark of Watertown, 

11. Abijah, son of Joseph, (4,) m. Lucy Bellamy, who d. May 28, 

1805, aged 60. He m. 2d, Aramiiita , and d. May 22, 1819. 

Ch. : L Frances, b. March, 1778, m. March 10, 1799, Solomon G. 
Steele, and d. in 1802 ; 11. Silence, b. July 14, 1781, m. Tola Webster, 
Feb. 10, 1804; IIL William, b. Jan, 25, 1784, m. March 13, ]805, 
Hannah Parker of Wallingford, and had Nancy Ann, Joshua Sherman, 
Philena, John J, and Rebecca; IV, A dau., d, young, 

12. Jonathan, son of Dea, Jonathan, (6,) m. Desire, dau. of Joseph 
Bronson, June 5, 1755, and d. April 10, 1805, in Watertown, She d. 
Dec, 1796. Ch.: L Mellicent, b, March 24, 1756, d. Aug., 1756; 
H, Mellicent, b. May 21, 1757, m. Lieut. Osborne, Dec. 6, 1771, d, in 
1803 ; IIL Daniel, b, July 18, 1760, m, Huldah Seymour, of Water- 
town, removed to Blue Lick, Indiana, and d. April 28, 1840, He 
had, William, m, Hannah French, and was drowned. May, 1839 ; Sey- 
mour, m. Blakeslee of Watertown, and resides at Blue Lick, In- 
diana; Grey; Mellicent, m, Isaac Townsend ; Anna, m, Briggs; 

Polly, m. Jacob Lane ; Bronson, m. Kelly, and lives m Iowa ; IV. 

Southmayd, b. April 10, 1763, m., Sabra Scott, of Watertown, and had 
Raphael, who d, in 1837; Laura, m, Nehemiah Clark; Rebecca, m. 
Asahel Stone, of Michigan ; Jonathan, resides in Michigan ; Amanda, 
wife of Jonathan Comer of Ashlev, Ohio; V. James, b, March 27, 



49 i HISTORY OF WATEKBURT. 

1V67, m. Anner Blakeslee of Plyraoiith, June 3, 1*798, who d. March 
14, 1801, and he m. 2d, Deborah, dan. of Deacon David "Wilcockson 
of Huntington, Jan. 12, 1806. He d. Nov. 23, 1853 ; his widow, Jan. 
10, 1854, aged 83. He lived in Watertown. Ch. : Adele, b. Aug. 19, 
1799, d. Dec. 1, 1799 ; Anner, b. July 4, 1807, m. David H. Curtiss of 
Woodbury, April 26, 1829; Maria, b. Aug. 3, 1809, m. William Bas- 
sett of Litchfield, July 25, 1832, and resides in Watertown ; David B., 
d. Sept. 1, 1828, aged 14; VI. Sidney, b. May 7, 1772, m. Abner 
Hard of Watertown, Nov. 10, 1814. 

13. Amos, son of Dea. Jonathan, (6,) m. Esther, dau. of Joseph 
Blake of Waterbury, Feb. 16, 1756. Ch. : I. Abigail, b. Nov. 9, 1756 ; 
H. Amos, b. Oct. 23, 1758, went to the State of N. Y., had two ch.; 
HI. Esther, b. June 9, 1760, d. Sept. 5, 1780; IV. Joel, b. Jan. 11, 

1763, ra. 1st, Strickland, 2d, Fanny Judd of Windsor, N. Y., 

had by his first wife, William and Blake, by 2d, Mary P., Ruth M. and 

Fanny P.; V. Eldad, b. Sept. 5, 1764, m. Strickland, and went 

to the State of N. Y. ; VI. Annis, b. 1766, d. same year ; VII. Annis, 

b. 1767, m. Stowe ; VIII. Ptuth, b. March 2,1769, m. S. Atwood, d. 

in 1801 ; IX. Parthena, b. March 6, 1771, m. Osborne; X. Phebe, 

m. Whitmore of Harpersfield, N. Y.; XL Sybil, m. Wells. 

Amos, the father of this family, removed to the State of N. Y., where 
he died. 

14. l^ANtEL, son of Dea. Jonathan, (6,) m. Ilanuah, dau. of Samuel 
Judd, June 6, 1754. She d. in 1776, and he m. Abigail Turner, and 
removed to Harpersfield, N. Y. Ch. : I. Hannah, b. April, 1755, m. 
Doolitlle; II. Irene, b. Sept. 19, 17.56, m. Dea. Dayton of Wa- 
tertown, and d. Feb. 27, 1788 ; HL David, b. March 3, 1758, m. Mary, 
dau. of William Judd, removed to Harpersfield, N. Y., and had a 
child, which d. in 1791, also Hannah, Miranda, Pamelia, Sally and 
Polly; IV. Rebekah, b. March 30, 1760, m. Christopher Merriam, of 
Watertown ; V. Olive, b. May 4, 1762, m. James Merriam, and d. 

Feb. 16, 1798 ; VI. Isaac, m, Judd, and lived at Harpersfield, N. 

Y. ; VII. Sarah, m. Mattoon, and went to Vt. ; VIII. Elizabeth, 

m. Harrison, and went to Whitestown, N. Y. ; IX. Ezra ; X. 

Esther. 

15. Samuel, son of Dea. Jonathan, (G,) m. Rachel Latimer, of Mil- 
ford, (?) May 10, 1764, who d. in 1765, and he m. C. Smedley and d. at 
Naugatuck, in 1819. Ch. : I. Samuel, b. April, 1765, went to Canada, 
and d. there ; II. Rachel, b. Aug. 13, 1767, m. Joseph Guernsey, Jr. ; 
III. Irene, (?) b. May 22, 1770 ; IV. Currence, b. May 28, 1772,— 
probably others. 



! APrEXDix. 405 

16. Isaac, son of Dea. Jonathan, (6,) is said to have settled in 
Northampton, Mass., where he m. Gulliver and d. soon after. 

17. John, son of John, (8,) had in Litchfield, Azubah, b. July 6, 
1758 ; Sarah, b. Aug. 30, 1760. He removed to Araenia, N. Y., where 
he had Isaac, Lois, Rachel, Ebenezer and Rhoda. 

] 8. NoAfi, son of John, (8,) lived in Northfield. Ch. : L Ilannah, 
b. May 10, 1771, m. Thomas Merriam, of Watertown, and had eight 
ch. ; XL Rachel, b. Sept. 3, 1773, ra. Isaac Clark of Watertown, and 
had seven ch. ; III. Samuel, b. Aug. 31, 1775, m. 1st, Laura Johnson, 
2d, Mabel Heaton ; IV. Noah, b. Eeb. 5, 1778, d. 1778 ; V." Anna, 
b. Aug. 12, 1779, m. Levi Heaton, and d. about 1818,— had five ch. ; 
VL Clarissa, b. March 18, 1782, m. Elijah Warner, and had four ch. ; 
VIL Polly, b. May 27, 1785, m. Gervase Blakeslee ; VHL Noah, b. 
1787, d. 1788; IX. John, b. March 20, 1789, m, Laura Morse and 
resides in Northfield ; X. Noah, b. April 16, 1793, ni. Amanda Crosby ; 
XL Caroline, b. 1797, d. 1801. 

/HARRISON. 

1. Thomas Harrison, from England, settled in New Haven, in that 
part now East Haven. He took the oath of fidelity at New Haven, 
April 4, 1654. He had three brothers who came with him to this 
country, viz : Richard, Benjamin and Nathaniel. Richard was a few 
years at Branford, but removed to New Jersey. Nathaniel and Ben- ■/ | 
jamin settled in Virginia. Benjamin, it is said, was grandfather of the 

late President William H. Harrison. Thomas m. 1st, the wid. of John 
Thompson of New Haven, and 2d, wid. Elizabeth Stent, March 29, 
1666. His ch. were, Thomas, b. March 1, 1657 ; Nathaniel, b. Dec. 
13, 1658; Elizabeth, b. Jan. 1667 ; John; Samuel; Isaac and Mary. 

2. Thomas, son of Thos. (1,) m. Margaret Stent, dau. of his step- 
mother. Ch. : I. Lydia, b. 1690 ; II. Jemima, b. 1692 ; HI. Thomas, b. 
Oct. 12, 1694, removed to Litchfield ; IV. Abigail, b. Nov. 17, 1696 ; V. 
Benjamin, b. Aug. 7, 1698, settled in Waterbury ; VL Joseph, b. May 
25, 1700 ; VII. David, b. Feb. 7, 1702 ; VHL Aaron, b. March 4, 1704, 
d. 1708 ; IX. Jacob, b. Oct. 23, 1708, d. 1748. 

3. Thomas, son of Thos. (2,) m. Elizabeth Sutlitf, April 21, 1721, and 
lived for a time in the east part of North Branford. He purchased 1000 
acres of land in Litchfield, in the eastern part of the parish of South 
Farms, to which he removed in 1639. He gave 100 acres of land to 
each of his nine sons, reserving only 100 for himself. He was chosen 
deacon of the First church in Litclifield in 1755. Ch. : Thomas, 
Ephraim, Gideon, Titu.s, Abel, Jacob, Lemuel, Elihu and Levi. 



496 HISTORY OF WATERBCRT. 

4. Benjamin, son of Thos. (2.) ni. Oct. 19, 1720, Mary , and 

settled in Farmin_^bury parish, Waterbury, He d. in 1760, leaving his 

"vvife Mary and ch., viz: Abigail, m. Warner; Benjamin and 

Aaron. 

5. Lemuel, son of Thos. (.3,) ra. "in his 24di year," Lois Barnes, 
Feb. 18, 1762, and d. Sept. 9, 1807. Ch. : L Timothy, b. 1763, d. 
1800 ; IL Lemuel, b. 1765, m. Sarah, dau. of Thos. Clark, is living in 
AVaterbury; HL James, b. 1767; 17. Phebe, b. 1769, d. 1797; V. 
Worster, b. 1772 ; VL Oiiley, b. 1774; VIL Lois, b. 1776; VIIL An- 
drew, b. 1779, d. 1810 ; IX. Caroline, b. 1785. 

6. Benjamin, son of Benj. (4,) ra. Dinah, dau. of Benj. "Warner, Dec. 
24, 1741, and d. March 13, 1760, in his 39th year. Ch. : L James, b. 
Oct. 1742, d. 1760 ; IL Jabez, b. Oct. 1744 ; IIL Lydia, b. Sept. 1747 ; 
IV. Samuel, b. Sept. 1750, d. 1750; V. Rozel, b. Dec. 1751 ; VI. Dan- 
iel, b. July, 1754, m. Phebe Blakeslee, 1774. 

7. Aaron, son of Benj. (4,) m. Jeiusha, dau. of Obed Warner, Oct. 
26, 1748. He was chosen deacon of the church in Farmingbury, (now 
"Wolcott,) at its organization, Nov. 18, 1773, which office he continued 
to fill until his death. Ch. : L Jared, b. 1749; Mark, b. Aug. 1751, 
ra. Rebecca Miles, 1775 ; III, Samuel, b. March, 1753 ; IV. David, b. 
March, 1756 ; V. John, b. Dec. 1758, d. 1776 ; VI. Lucy, b. March, 1762. 

HICKOX, 

niCOX, IIIKCOX, IIECOCK, niCKCOCK, <feC. 

1. Sergt. Samuel Hickox, had ch.: Samuel, Hannah, William, 
Thomas, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Stephen, Benjamin, Mercy, Ebenezer. 
(See p. 148.) 

2. Joseph, probably brother of Samuel, (1.) lived in Farmington and 
Waterbury. From the latter place he went to Woodbury, where he 
d. in 1687, leaving the following ch. : I. Joseph, m. Ruth Fairohild 
of Woodbury, in 1697 ; II. Benjamin, m. Hannah Skeel of Woodbury* 
in 1697; III. Mary, m. Joseph Gaylord, Jr., of Waterbury, went to 
Durham ; IV. Elizabeth, m. John Gaylord of Waterbury ; V. Samuel, 
m., had a family and lived in Woodbury. (See Cothreirs Woodbury, 
p. 564.) 

3. Samuel, son of Sergt. Samuel, (1,) had ch. as follows: I. A dau.; 
II. Ebenezer, went to Danbury ; IIL Samuel; IV. John; V. Han 
nah; VL Elizabeth; VIL A son; VIIL Gideon; IX. Sarah ; X. 
Silence. 

4. Capt. WiLLTAM, son of Samuel, (1,) had ch. : I. — 



m 




APPENTDIX. 497 

Ham; III. Samuel; IV. Abraha:n ; V. John; IV. R^bsi^ca; VII. 
Rachel; VIII. Hannah. 

5. Dea. Thomas, son of Sinuel, (1.) C'.i. : t. Thomas, b. Oct. 25, 
IVOI ; II. Mary, b. May 28, 1704, d. April 30, lYOtJ ; III. Mary, b. 
March 9, 1706-7, m. Dea. John Warner; IV. Sirah, b. Jan. 2, 1709- 

10, m. Daniel Benedict; V. Mercy, m. Isaac Hopkins; VI. Amos, b. 
Aug. 19, 1715; VII. Jonas, b. Oct. 30, 1717 ; VIII. Sim lei, b. Au^. 
30, 1720; IX. Susanna, b. March 25, 1723, m. George Nich>ls. Djc. 
15, 1741 ; X. James, b. June 26, 1726, d. young. 

6. Eben'ezer, son of Samuel, (1,) ra. 1st, Esther Hine, Deci. 1714, 
2d, Abigail, dau. of Samuel Stevens of West Haven, Aug. 28, 1729. 
He removed to Bethel soc. in Danbury. His ch. recorded in Water- 
bury, were as follows: I. Esther, b. July 10, 1715, m. Stephen Kelsey, 
son of Stephen of Wethersfield, Aug. 25, 1733; II. Samuel, b. Dec. 
20, 1716; III. Ambrose, b. Sept. 2, 1718; IV. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 
1720, m. Richard Nichols, Aug. 10, 1744 ; V. Abigail, b. Aug. 8, 1722 ; 
VI. Ebenezer, b. July 21, 1730; VII. David, b. Jan. 30, 1732; VHI. 
John, b. April, 17, 1734 ; IX. Seth, b. Dec. 5, 1741. 

7. Ebenezer, son of Samuel, (3,) settled in Bethel soc, Danbury, 
about 1725. He had sons, Ebenezer, Maj. Benjamin and Capt. Samuel. 

8. John, son of Samuel, (3,) m. Miry, dau. of Joseph Gaylord of 
Durham, Nov. 18, 1719, and probably had children. 

9. Gideon, son of Samuel, (3,) m. Miry, dau. of Stephen Upson, Aug. 
15, 1734. Ch.: I. James, b. Feb. 11, 1734-5, drowned, Feb. 12, 1744-5 ; 

11. Jemima, b. Nov. 24, 1736, m. Ira Beebe, Aug. 1758 ; III. Samuel, 
b. Sept. 1, 1739; IV. Sarah, b. June 3, 1744, ra, Austin Smith; V. 
James, b. Nov. 28, 1746 ; VI. Lucy, b. June 20, 1749 ; VII. Gideon, b. 
May 4, 1752 ; VIII. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 28, 1754. 

10. Capt. Samuel, son of William, (4,) m. Mary, dau. of John Hop- 
kins, March 8, 1721, andd. May 13, 1765. She d. Aug. 19, 1768. 
Ch. : I. Mary, b. Oct. 30, 1721, m. Richard Seymour, May 20, 1740, d. 
July 15, 1744 ; II. Mehitable, b. Nov. 22, 1723, m. Stephen Seymour, 
March 18, 1741, d. May 9, 1767 ; III. William, b. Jan. 14, 1725-6 ; 
IV. Abraham, b. Jan. 11, 1727-8 ; V. John, b. July 20, 1730; VI. 
Samuel, b. Sept. 8, 1733; VII. Dorcas, b. July 11, 1736, m. John 
Welton, Jan. 5, 1758. 

11. Thomas, son of Dea. Thomas, (5,) ra. Miriam, wid. of Samuel 
Richards, April 19, 1736, and d. Dec. 28, 1787. His wife d. March 13, 
1780. Ch.: T. Thomas, b. April 4, 1737; II. Susanna, b. March 30, 
1739; III. Daniel, b. Dec. 16, 1742; IV. James, b. Jan. 19, 1747-8, 
d. 1749 ; V. James, b. May 8, 1755. 

32 



498 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

12. Amos, son of Dea. Thomas, (5,) m. Mercy, wiJ. of Benjamin 
Richards, March 15, 1740. She d. July 19, 1787. He d. March 1, 
1805. Ch.: T. Freelove, b. April 28, 1741, m. Stephen Scott, Nov. 30, 
1758; II. Amos, b. March 18, 1742-3, d. 1749; III. Elisha, b. March 
3, 1744-5: IV. Mercy, b. Jan. 25, 1746-7, d. 1752; V. Amos, b. 
Nov. 12, 1749 ; VI. Joseph, b. March 12, 1752. 

13. Dea. Samuel, son of Dea. Thomas, (5,) was one of the early set- 
tlers of Westbury, and contributed much towards the establishment of 
the good state of society, which has ever prevailed in that town. He 
was a dea. in the church, capt. of the militia, representative to the Gen- 
eral Assembly, &c. He gave freedom to the only slave he ever owned. 
He m. 1st, Elizabeth, dau. or George Wei ton, Nov. 26, 1741. She d. 
June 7, 1809, and his death occurred April 6, 1811. Ch.: I. Jonas, 
b. Aug. 20, 1742, m. Abigail, dau. of Eliphalet Clark, in 1766, and d. 
in Sept. 6, 1826; II. Mary, b. Jan. 12, 1744-5, d. same month; III. 
Mary, b. Sept. 16, 1746, d. 1749; IV. Samuel, b. June 9, 1749; V. 
Elizabeth, b. April 29, 1752, m. Thomas Bronson, Aug. 25, 1774; VI. 
Hannah, b. Aug. 24, 1754, m. John Nettleton, Jr. and d. Aug. 8, 1784. 
He d. Sept. 19, 1808 ; VK. Eli, b. June 17, 1757, m. Mary Bucking- 
ham, and d. April 30, 1788. She d. Sept. 25, 1827 ; VIII. Josiah, b. 
Sept. 9, 1760. 

14. Ambrose, son of Ebenezer, (7,) lived in Waterbury, m. Eunice, 
dau. of Caleb Clark, Dec. 11, 1740, and d. June 1, 1792, a. 74. Ch. : 
I. Ambrose, b. Aug. 28, 1741, m. Mary, dau. of John Dowd of Middle- 
town, June, 1762, and had Eunice and Gideon; II. Ruth, b. Dec. 18, 
1743, m. Abijah Wilmot ; III. Gideon, b. April 19, 1746, d. 1763; IV. 
Margery, b. Oct. 6, 1748 ; V. Marcy,b. Sept. 26, 1752 ; VI. Ebenezer, 
b. May 29, 1754 ; VII. Benjamin, b. April 19, 1756, d. 1769. 

15. John, son of Ebenezer, (6,) m. Lydia Kellogg, March 29, 1757. 
She was b. April 5, 1740. Ch. : I. John, b. Sept. 24, 1759, d. Sept. 
1776; II. Lydia, b.Jan. 2, 1762, m. Jesse Richards; HI. Seth, b. Jan. 
6, 1764, d. March 5, 1773 ; IV. Jesse, b. Nov. 4, 1769 ; V. Rachel B., 
b. July 3, 1771, m. Stephen Camp ; VI. Seth, b. Sept. 22, 1773,— was 
living in 1856, at New Canaan; VII. Eliaseph, b. May 29, 1776, d. 
Oct. 7, 1777 ; VIII. Peninah, (?) b. Feb. 15, 1778, m. Ezra Hoyt ; IX. 
Melliscent, b. Sept. 14, 1780, m. Jonathan B. Benedict. 

16. Ebenezer, son of Ebenezer, (7,) had a son Zar, who was father 
of Rev. Laurens P. Hickok, D. D,, formerly pastor of the Congrega- 
tional churches at Kent and Litchfield, Conn. From Litchfield he 
went to the Western Reserve College, where he was a profes.sor several 
years, and thence to the Theological Seminary, Auburn, N. Y., wliere he 



APPENDIX, 499 

was also a professor. He is at present (1856) in Union Col., Roches- 
ter, N. Y. 

lY. Maj. Benjamin, son of Ebenezer, (7,) had a son Eli, who was 
father of Benjamin Eli Hickox of New York City. 

18. Capt. Samuel, son of Ebenezer, (7,) had sons, I. Daniel, iii. and 
had Ely, Plinley, Starr, Nathaniel Hoyt and Amos. Plinley is father 
of Rev. Henry, of Elmira, N. Y., also of George S. and Francis S. of 
New York City; II. Noah, had John and Harvey of New York City ; 

III. Amos, d. at Fort George, in 1814. 

19. Samuel, son of Gideon, (9,) m. Eleanor, dau. of Obadiah War- 
ner, June 4, 1761. She d. Nov. 14, 1767, and he m. 2d, Chanty Dixon, 
Nov. 10, 1768. Ch. : I. Asee, b. Aug. 14, 1762; II. Enos, b. April 
22, 1764 ; III. A dau., b. Nov. 24, 1765 ; IV. A son, b. Sept. 3, 1767 ; 
V. Silvia, b. Jan. 20, 1770; VI. Charity, b. July 15, 1773 ; VII. Sam- 
uel Johnson, b. Oct. 31, 1775 ; VIII. Sophia, b. July 26, 1778. 

20. James, son of Gideon, (9,) ra. Hannah, dau. of Austin Smith, 
Nov. 28, 1766. Ch. : I. Olive, b. May 7, 1774. 

21. Gideon, son of Gideon, (9,) m. Phebe, dau. of Austin Smith, 
Aug. 29, 1771. Ch.: I. David, b. Dec. 8, 1772; II. Sarah, b. April 
13, 1774; III. Polly, b. March 4, 1777; IV. Hannah S., b. July 2, 
1781. 

22. William, son of Capt. Samuel, (9,) m. Lydia Seymour, April 
4, 1745, who d. June 19, 1762, and he m. 2d, Abigail, dau. of Edmund 
Scott, Jan. 12, 1763. Ch. : I. William, b. Jan. 14, 1746 ; II. Consider, 
b. June 21, 1748 ; HI. Abigail, b. July 28, 1751, m. Thomas Welton ; 

IV. Lydia, b. July 29, 1757 ; V. Rebecca, b. Oct. 14, 1759 ; VI. Cbloe, 
b. Feb. 7, 1764; VII. Hannah, b.Oct. 31, 1765 ; VIII. Asahel, b. Nov. 
22, 1767. 

23. Capt. Abraham, son of Capt. Samuel, (10,) m. Jemima, dau. of 
Thomas Foote, April 19, 1748. She d.May 20, 1779. Hed.in 1777 or 
1778, in the British array. Ch. : I. Mary, b. July 2, 1748, m. Seba Bron- 
son ; I[. Lucy, b. Feb. 13, 1749-50, m. Simeon Scott; III. Jesse, b. 
April 12, 1752 ; IV Jared, b. Jan. 15, 1756 ; V.Joel, b. April 8, 1858 ; 
VL Timothy, b. Jan. 5, 1761 ; VIL Abraham, b. June 2, 1765; VIH. 
Samuel, b. Jan. 1, 1767 ; IX. Preserved, b. Nov. 6, 1768. 

24. John, son of Capt. Samuel, (10,) m. Aner, dau. of Doct. Benja- 
min Warner, July 1, 1754. Ch. : I. Asa, b. Jan. 23, 1755 ; II. Joanna, 
b. Sept. 7,1756; IH. Sabra, b. Aug. 21, 1759; IV. Aner, b. March 
24, 1761 ; V. Lucinda, b. March 6, 1763; VL John, b. Jan. 14, 1765 ; 
VH. Mary, b. March 16, 1767 ; VIH. William W., b. Feb. 1, 1769 ; IX. 
Sarah Anna, b. Jan. 7, 1771. 



500 HISTOKY OF WATERBURY. 

25. TiiOMAS, son of Dea, Tliomas, (11,) m. Lois. dau. of Thomas 
Richards, July 17, 1760. She d. May 11, 17G4, nnd he m. 2d, Thank- 
ful, dau. of Stephen Seymour, May 12, 1765. Ch. : I. Sarah, b. May 

12, 1762 ; II. Lois, b. March 29, 1766, d. 1766 ; IIL Thomas, b. Oct. 19, 
1776 ; IV. Lois K., b. Oct. 29, 1769 ; V. Mark, b.May 23, 1773 ; VI. Ira, 
b. March 24, 1775 ; VII. Isaac, b. July 5, 1778. 

26. Daniel, son of Dea. Thomas, (11,) ni. Sibel Bartholomew, or 
Williams, Jan. 15, 1766, who d. April 2, 1774, and he m. 2d, Phebe 

Orton, July 5, 1775. Ch. : I. Caleb, b. Oct. 18, 1766, m. Scovill, 

and d. March 9, 1813. He was father of Edward Hickox of Water- 
town. II. Daniel, b. Feb. 11, 1769, m. Polly Brown, and d. Oct. 21, 
1823 ; III. Mary, b. May 5, 1771, d. 1772 ; IV.Chauncey, b. July 12, 1773 ; 
V. Eleazer, b. July 25, 1776 ; VL Mary, b. Jan. 23, 1778 ; VIL Uri, b. 
Aug. 8, 1779; VIII. Merriam, b. Aug. 1, 1781; IX. Sybbel, b. Oct. 

13, 1783. 

27. Samuel, son of Samuel, (13,) m. Dec. 5, 1771, Sarah Scovill, who 
d. Oct. 1, 1776. He d. Sept. 9, 1778,— no ch. 

28. JosiAH, son of Samuel, (13,) m. Phebe, dau. of John Stoddard 
of Woodbury, Dec. 2, 1779, and d. Sept. 20, 1786. Ch. : L Hannah, b. 
April 6, 1781, m. Asa Woodward, April 6, 1801. She d. April 14, 
1851. Ch. : I. Charles S. Woodward — resides in Northfield. II. Sam- 
uel, b. Jan. 17, 1783, m. Huldah Bradley, and d. Oct. 1839. He had a 
Son Samuel Josiah, b. Oct. 20, 1806, and d. Oct. 18, 1832. IIL Josiah, 
b. Feb. 13, 1786, d. Jan, 10, 1787. 

29. Jesse, son of John, (15,) m. Betsey Hoyt, Nov. 24, 1791, — resid- 
ed in New Canaan, until his ch. were born, — removed thence to Sarato- 
ga Co., N. Y. — thence to Cayuga Co., and d. near Newark, Wayne Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 8, 1826. Ch. : I, John II., b. Nov. 27, 1792, d. Jan. 14, 
1841 ; IL Albert, b. July 23, 1797— removed to Michigan about 1820i 
and lives, (1857,) in Blissfield, Lenawee Co., Mich. ; III. Emeline, b. Nov. 
13, 1800, m. Doct. George R. Powers, and d. Oct. 24, 1854 ; IV. Emilia, 
b. July 23, 1802, m. S. A. Holbrook ; V. Elizabeth, b. May 23, 1804, 

m. Rev. Solomon Stearns, and lives in Somerset, Mich. ; VL Rev. S. , 

b. 1809, d. Oct. 7, 1820. 

30. Samuel J., son of Samuel, (19,) m. Laura, dau. of Amos Culver, 
Oct. 15, 1800. Ch.: L Selden, b. Sept. 22, 1801, d. 1803 ; IL Sally, b. 
Aug. 3, 1804; IV. Samuel H., b. April 16, 1810— perhaps others. 

31. Jesse, son of Capt. Abraham, (23,) m. Hannah Strong, July 27, 
1775, who d. Dec. 21, 1778, and he m. 2d, Rhoda Thomas, April 26, 
1780. She d. Feb. 20, 1781, and he m. 3d, Hannah, wid. of Nathaniel 
Tompkins, Aug. 16, 1781. Ch. : L Zenas, b. June 7, 1776 ; IL Molly, 
b Dec. 17, 1777; IIL A son, b. Feb. 14, 1781— perhaps others. 



APPENDIX. 501 

32. Jared, son of Capt. Abraham, (23,) m. Rachel, dau. of Caleb Mer- 
rills, Feb. V, 1777. Ch.: I. Lucy, b. Dec. 6, 1777 ; 11. Nathaniel, b. 
Feb. 16, 1779; III. Jemima, b. April 25, 1780 ; IV. Hannah, b. Dec. 
12, 1782, d. July 22, 1785 ; V. Hannah, b. July 22, 1785; VI. Asa, b. 
Sept. 12, 1787; VII. Eri, b. Feb. 19, 1790; VIII. Esther, b. Sept, 20, 
1792 ; IX. Jared, b. June 8, 1794; X. Rachel, b. Sept. 5, 1797. 

33. Joel, son of Capt. Abraham, (23,) removed in 1814, with his 
family, to Susquehanna Co., Pa., where he resided until his death in 
1817. His sons, Spencer and James W., reside in the same county 
and have children. 

34. TiMOTHV, son of Capt. Abraham, (23,) m. Sarah, dau. of Ricli/ird 
Nichols, May 3, 1781. She d. Jan. 24, 1813. He d. Dec. 8, 1835. 
Ch. : I. Sarah, b. June 27, 1782 ; II. Elizabeth, b. Aug. 11, 1783 ; III. 
Polly, b. Nov. 13, 1784; IV. Abraham, b. May 23, 1786; V. Huldah, 
b. Aug. 4, 1787, m. James Chatfield; VI. Leonard, b. Sept. 15, 1788; 
VIL Laura, b. Oct. 1, 1790 ; VIII. Palmyra, b. Jan. 1, 1792 ; IX. Nan- 
cy, b. Feb. 23, 1793, d. 1801 ; X. Lydia, b. Dec. 17, 1794 ; XL Chloe, 
b. June 13, 1797, m. Jacob Tallmadge, d. 1848 ; XIL Sherman, b. Sept. 
29, 1798, m. Sally Camp, April 22, 1824; XIIL Vina, b. June 30, 
1800, d. 1822; XIV. Nancy, b. Feb. 8, 1802 ; XV. William, b. Sept. 
12, 1803. 

35. Abraham, son of Capt. Abraham, (23,) m. Tamer, dau. of Jabez 
Tuttle, Feb. 24, 1784. Ch.: L Ruth, b. Nov. 9, 1785; IL "Oraiena," 
b. Nov. 11, 1788 — probably others. 

36. Preserved, son of Capt. Abraham, (23,) m. Rachel, dau. of Capt. 
Hezekiah Brown, Oct. 3, 1786. Ch. : L Samuel, b. March 8, 1787 ; IL 
Sally M., b. May 17, 1789— probably others. 

37. John, son of John, (24,) m. Lydia, dau. of Moses Cook, May 1, 
1786. Ch. : L Carlos V., b. Feb. 9, 1787, d. Aug. 4, 1787 ; IL Alonzo 
G., b. July 22, 1788; IIL Sidney, b. July 17, 1790, d. 1791 ; IV. Sid- 
ney, b. Aug. 3, 1792, d. 1794; V. Asa Wm. Warner, b. April 1, 1795 ; 
VI. CarlosV., b. Sept. 30, 1797. 

38. John H., son of Jesse, (29,) m. Mary Lockwood, Avho was b. 
Sept. 28, 1795. He resided in Western New York. About 1823, he 
removed to Union Co., Pa., in 1828 to Lewiston, in 1836 to Chambers- 
burg, and in 1839 to Ilarrisburg. He was run over by cars on the 
Cumberland Valley Railroad, at Ilarrisburg, and d. Jan. 14, 1841. His 
ch. were as follows: L William O., b. Oct. 6, 1815, m. Caroline L. 
Hutter of Allentown, Pa., Sept. 10, 1840. She was dau. of Charles L. 
Ilutter, and was b. Dec. 26, 1818. The ch. of William 0. are, Alice 
M., b. June 25, 1841; Edwin U., b. Nov. 14, 1844; AVilliam 0., b. 



502 HISTOllY OF WATERBUEY. 

Feb. 12, 1849, and Caroline, b. March 29, 1852. II. Henry C, b. April 
26, 1818, m. Margaret Parke of Susquehanna Co., Pa., Nov. 17, 1841. 
His ch. are, Theodore C, b. Aug. 20, 1840, and Josephine C, b. Sept. 19, 
1848; III. Charles N., b. May 1, 1821, resides at Bedford, Pa., is a 
dentist ; IV. Elizabeth S., b. June 5, 1825, m. Jacob Mann, and resides 
in Fulton Co., Pa. 

HOPKINS. 

1. John Hopkins, of Hartford, had ch., Stephen and Bethia. (See 
p. 151.) 

2. Stephen, son of John, (1,) had John, Stephen, Ebenezer, Joseph, 
Dorcas and Mary. 

• 3. John, son of Stephen, (2,) had John, Consider, Stephen, Timothy, 
Samuel, Mary, Hannah and Dorcas. 

4. Stephen, son of Stephen, (2,) lived at Hartford. Ch.: Sarah, 
bap. Aug. 21, 1687 ; Rachel, b. 1789 ; Thomas, b. 1792, and others. 

5. Ebenezer, son of Stephen, (2,) resided at Hartford. Ch. : I. Ebe- 
nezer, bap. Nov. 19, 1693, d. young ; II. Jonathan, bap. June 28, 1696 ; 
HI. Ebenezer, b. June 25, 1700; IV. Mary, b. Jan. 30, 1705 ; V. Ste- 
phen, b. Aug, 8, 1707, settled in Waterbury; VI. Isaac, b. Nov. 28, 
1708, settled in W^aterbury ; VII. Sarah, b. June 25, 1710. 

6. Joseph, son of Stephen, (2,) had ch.: I. Mary, bap. March 10, 
1700; II. Hannah, b. 1702 ; III. Dorcas, b. March 18, 1704; m. Tim- 
othy Bronson; IV. Ruth, b. Nov. 9, 1707; V. Joseph, b. Jan. 14, 
1711. 

• 7. Stephen, son of John, (3,) settled in Waterbury, m. Susanna, dau. 
of John Peck of Wallingford, in I7l7. She d. Dec. 2, 1755, and he m. 
2d, Abigail, wid. of John Webster of Farmington, May 25, 1726, and 
d. Jan. 4, 1769. Ch. : I. John, b. July 20, 1718 ; II. Stephen, b. June 
28, 1721 ; HI. Anna, b. Sept. 25, 1723, m. Thomas Bronson; IV. Su- 
sanna, b. Nov. 10, 1725, d. 1748; V. Mary, b. June 4, 1728, d. 1735 ; 
VI. Joseph, b. June 6, 1730 ; VII. Jesse, b. Feb. 12, 1733, d. 1754 ; VIH. 
Mary, b. Nov. 26, 1735, d. 1748 ; IX. Lois, b. June 22, 1738, m. Isaac 
Johnson of Derby ; X. David, b. Oct. 14, 1741, d. 1748. 

8. Timothy, son of John, (3,) m. Mary, dau. of Thos. Judd, June 
•25, 1719, and d. Feb. 5, 1748-9. Ch. : I. Samuel, b. Sept. 17, 
1721, (see p. 399 ;) II. Timothy, b. Sept. 8, 1723, m. Jan. 14, 1741-2, 
Jemima, dau. of Abraham Scovill of Simsbury ; III. Iluldah, b. Dec. 
22, 1725, m. Abijah Richards; IV. Hannah, b. April 11, 1728, m. 
Thos. Upson ; V. Sarah, b. May 25, 1730, m. Timothy Clark ; VI. James, 
b. June 26, 1732, d. July 4, 1754 ; VII. Daniel, b. Oct. 10, 1736, (see 



APPENDIX. 503 

p. 408;) VIIL Mary, b. June 27, 1737, m. John Cosset; IX. Mark, b. 
Sept. 18, 1739. (See p. 410.) 

9. Stephen, son of Ebenezer, (5,) settled in Waterbiiry, m. Jemima, 
dau. of John Bronson, Feb. 26, 1729-30. Ch. : I. Noah, b. Jan. 20, 
1730-31 ; II. Roswell, b. May 18, 1733 ; III. Micah, b. March 9, 
1734-5. 

10. Isaac, son of Ebenezer, (5,) lived in Waterbury, (Wolcott,) ra. 
Mary, dau. of Thomas Hickox, Sept. 21, 1732. She d. May 27, 1790. Mr. 
Hopkins d. Jan. 13, 1805. Ch. : I. Obedience, b. Sept. 1, 1733, d. 1736 ; 
II. Simeon, b. April 30, 1735, d. 1736 ; III. liede, b. Nov. 21, 1-737, ra. 
Samuel Judd ; IV. Simeon, b. Nov. 19, 1740 ; V. Irene, b. 1742-3 ; VI. 
Ruth, b. Dec. 20, 1745, d. 1752; VII. Ore, b. June 18, 1748, d. 1749 ; 
VIIL Mittee, b. Dec. 14, 1750, d. Nov. 1800 ; IX. Mary, b. Dec. 4, 
1753 ; X. Welthe, b. June 2, 1756 ; XI. Ruth, b. Dec. 10, 1759, ra. 1st, 
Ziba Norton, 2d, Thos. Wei ton. 

11. John, son of Stephen, (7,) lived in Waterbury, m. Sarah, dau. of 
Benajah Johnson of Derby, Dec. 13, 1749. She d. and he ra, 2d, Pa- 
tience , who d. July 23, 1802. He d. May 12, 1802. Ch. : I. 

Sarah, b. Oct. 1, 1750, m. Stephen Culver; II. Susanna, b. Sept. 26, 
1752, d. 1776 ; III. and IV. Mary and Mabel, b. Nov. 25, 1755, Mary 

m. Eli Curtiss, an attorney, Mabel m. Rev. Camp ; V. Lois, b. 

Nov. 13, 1757, ra. John Hotchkiss; VI. David, b. Aug. 24, 1762, m. 
Mary, dau. of Jonathan Thompson of West Haven, July 4, 1791. He, 
David, is father of David Hopkins, Esq., and grandfather of Enos Hop- 
kins, both of Naugatuck. VII. Rhoda, b. Sept. 29, 1767, m. Frederick 
Hotchkiss of Prospect, and went AVest; VIIL Patience, b. July 22, 
1769, d. 1770; IX. John, b. 1770, d. 1771 ; X. Patience, b. Dec. 10, 
1774, d. unm.; XL Susanna, b. May 19, 1780, d. Oct. 1780; XII. 
John, b. Feb. 19, 1782, d. young. 

12. Stephen, son of Stephen, (7,) lived in Waterbury; m. Patience, 
dau. of Isaac Bronson, Oct. 11,1744. She d. June 3, 1746, and he 
m. Dorothy, dau. of Jaraes Talmage of New Haven, Nov. 16, 1747. 
She d. Oct. 22, 1761. Ch. : I. Anne, b. Oct. 1, 1744 ; IL Samuel, b. 
Nov. 21, 1748, m. Molly, dau. of David Miles of Wallingford, June 27, 
1771 ; had a son, Samuel Miles, (see p. 416;) III. Sa muel , b. June 19, 
1750, d. April 14, 1801 ; IV. Stephen, b. April 22, 1754, d. 1782 ; V. 
Hannah, b. Sept. 23, 1757 ; VL Esther, b. Aug. 29, 1760, d. Nov. 
4, 1761. 

13. Joseph, son of Stephen, (7,) m. Hepzibah, dau. of Thos. Clark, 
Nov. 28, 1754. Shed. July 29, 1800. He d. 1801, (see p. 411.) Ch. : 
I. Livia, b. Aug. 27, 1755, m. Benoni Upson, D. D., (see p. 443 ;) L 



50-i HISTORY OF ^VATEIiBUKY. 

Asa, b. Sept. 1, lTo'7; III. Joseiili, b. Jan. 9, 17C0, removed to Rut- 
land, N, Y. ; IV. Daniel, b. April 8, 1762, settled in Hartford; V- 
Esther, b. Feb. 25, 1764, m. Mark Bronson ; YI. Jesse, b. May 20, 
1766; YII. Hepzibab, b. May 14, 1768, m. Ethel Bronson; YIII. Han- 
nah, b. May 31, 1770, m. Stiles Thompson of Middlebiiry ; IX. Sally, b. 
Nov. 17, 1772, d. at Hudson, N. Y., unra. 

14. Mark, son of Timothy, (8 ) m. Electa, dau. of Rev. John Sar- 
gcant of Stockbridge, Jan. 31, 1765, (see p. 410.) Ch.: I. Archibald, 
b. March 25, 1766 ; II. Henry, b. Dec. 28, 1767, d. in 1788, unm. ; HI. 
Sewall, b. July 27, 1769 — had one son and five daus. ; IV. John Sar- 
geant, b. Aug. 27, 1771— had ch. ; Y. Louisa, b. July 17, 1774 ; YI. 
Effingham, b. 1776, d. early. 

15. Simeon, son of I>aac, (10,) lived in Waterbury, m. Lois, dau. of 
Obadiah Richards, Nov. 15, 1764, and d. May 4, 1793. Ch. : L Han- 
nah, b. Aug. 5, 1765 ; II. Sarah, b. June 2, 1767 ; IIL Electa, b. July 
8, 1770 ; lY. Isaac, b. Jan. 11, 1773; V. Lois, b. July 21, 1775 ; YI. 
Richards Obadiah, b. Jan. 11, 1778 ; VIL Polly, b. Sept. 19, 1779; YHL 
Harvey, b. June 9, 1782. 

16. Asa, son of Joseph, (13,) removed from Waterbury to Hartford. 
He m. Rebecca, dau. of Benjamin Payne, Dec. 1, 1784. She d. Sept. 
17, 1791, and he m. Abigail, dau. of Peter Benham of Wethersfield, 
Oct. 16, 1793, and d. Dec. 4, 1805. Ch. : I. Catharine Payne, b. Oct. 
24, 1785; H. Amelia, b. Jan. 4, 1787; IH. Maria, b. Oct. 16, 1790; 
I Y. Henry, b. Sept. 3, 1794 ; V. Rev. Asa T.Hopkins, D. D., first settled 
at Pawtucket, R. I., aftervs ards pastor of the Bleeker st. Church, Utica, 
N. Y., and still later, of the First Presbyterian church, Buffalo, N. Y., 
where he d. Nov. 27, 1847. 

17. Joseph, son of Joseph, (13,) m. Ruth, dau. of Abijah Gilbert of 
Salem, N. Y., Jan. 22, 1784. He settled in Waterbury, removed thence 
to Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y. Ch.: L Anna, b. March 9, 1786 ; II. 
Gilbert, b. Dec. 1787 ; IH. Rebecca, b. March 21,1790 ; IV. Sophia, b. 
Dec. 26, 1791 ; Y. Jesse, b. Feb. 23, 1794, d. 1818; VL Joseph, b. 
Oct. 26, 1796 ; YH. Eliza, b. Dec. 2, 1798 VIIL Henry, b. Feb. 10, 
1803 (?) IX. Mary Ann, b. March, 1806 (?) X. Emily, b. April, 1808. 

18. Jesse, son of Joseph, (13,) m. Betsey Goodwin of Hartford, Dec. 
3, 1794. She d. Feb. 14, 1799. Ch. : L Betsey, b. Dec. 8, 1795 ; II. 
Sally G., Sept. 13, 1798, (see p. 412.) 

19. Anne, dau. of Joseph, (17.) m. Josiah Tyler of Rutland, N. Y. 
Ch. : Jessie Hopkins and Josiah Bennet. 

20. Gilbert, son of Joseph, (17,) m. Betsey Sherman of Rutland, 
N. Y. Ch. : Ann, Gustavus, Maria, Samuel, George, Morris and Jane. 



APPENDIX. 505 

21. Rebkcca, dan. of Joseph, (17,) m. Abel Doolittle. Ch.: "William, 
Eliza, Henry and Justus. 

22. Sophia, dau. of Joseph, (IV,) m. "William Sill of Rodman, N. Y. 
Qh. : Mary, John Sterling, Edward and Elizabeth. 

23. Joseph, son of Joseph, (17,) m. Pamelia Picket of Gouverneur, 
N. Y. Ch.: Bower, Sara, Emily, Brayton and others. 

24. Eliza, dau. of Joseph, (17,) m. Rev. Banks, and after- 
wards, Mr. Holgate of Utica, N, Y. Ch. : Jane, Frances, Asa Uopkins 
and Arbella Eliza. 

2.5. Hexry, son of Joseph, (17,) m. Celestia, dau. of Dea. David 
Tyler of Rutland, X. Y., in 1829. Ch. : Charles, Catharine, Martha, 
Mary Ann and Henry Tyler. 

2G. Mary Axx, dau. of Joseph, (17,) m. George M. Foster, Esq. of 
Ogdensburg, N. Y. Ch. : none. 

27. Emily, dau. of Joseph, (17,) m. Israel Lamb, Esq. of Ogdensburg, 
N. Y. Ch.: Frances, George and two others. 

HOTCHKISS. 

1. Samuel Hotchkiss, (probably from Essex, England, and traditional 
brother of John of Guilford, Conn., whose name was written Hodgke, 
Hodgkin, Hotchkin, &c.,) was at Xew Haven as early as 1641. In Aug. 
1642, he m. Elizabeth Cleverly, and d. Dec. 28, J 663, leaving children 
as follows : I. John, b. 1643, remained at New Haven, and m. Eliza- 
beth, dau. of Henry Peck, Dec. 4, 1672. His descendants are numer- 
ous, and found in many parts of the country. He had a son, Capt. John, 
who m. Mary Chatterton at New Haven, in 1694, and settled early at 
Cheshire, who had a son John, b. in 1694. The last named John 
had Jason, b. in 1719, who was father of Sarah, who m."V\^illiam Law, 
and became the mother of Jonathan Law, Esq., now of Clieshire ; II. 
Samuel, b. 1645, m. Sarah Tallmage, in 1678, settled at East Haven, 
and d. in 1705. He had, Mary, Sarah, Samuel, James and Abigail. 
III. James, b. 164Y, probably d. without issue ; IV. Joshua, b. Sept. 16, 
1751, lived at New Haven; V, Thomas, b. Dec. 1654, m. Sarah "V\^il- 
mot, Nov. 28, 1677, and d. 1711. He had ch., among whom were, 
Samuel, Anna and Sarah; YL Daniel, b. June 8, 1657, m. Esther 
Sperry, June 20, 1683, and d. in 1712. He had, Eliza, Daniel, Oba- 
diah, Rebecca and others. 

2. Ens. Joshua, son of Samuel, (1,) was married twice or oftcner. 
He was a leading man at New Haven. Ch. : I. Mary, b. April 30, 1679 ; 
II. Dea. Stephen, b. Aug. 12, 1681, settled at Cheshire; HI. Martha, b. 
Dec. 14, 1683, m. Thomas Brooks of New Haven, in 1702, who settled 
at Cheshire, and is the progenitor of most of the name now residing in 



506 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

the last mentioned place ; IV. Priscilla, (.1.1688; V. Abraham, settled 
at Bethany, had three daughters ; YI. Desire, d. in 1702 ; VII. Isaac, 
b. June, 1701, settled at Bethany, and had a large family, among whom 
were, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; VIII. Jacob, b. Feb. 7, 1704, settled 
on the old homestead, at New Ilaven, but afterwards removed to llam- 
den, and had eh. Some cf his sons remained at Ilamden, One of 
them removed to Derby. 

3. Dea. Stephen, son of Ens. Joshua, (2,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of John 
Sperry, at New Ilaven, Dec. 12, 1704. He bought lands at Cheshire, 
in 1706, and removed thither the next year. Ilis eh. were, I. Joshua, 
b. Aug. 26, 1705 ; II. Elizabeth, b. 1706, d. young; III. Mary, b. Jan. 
1, 1708, m. Nathan Barnes ; IV. Hannah, b. Jan. 10, 1710, m. Stephen 
Atwater ; V. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 18, 1712 ; VI. Dea. Gideon, b. Dec. 5, 
1716, and settled inWaterbury; VII. Stephen, b. Dec. 1, 1718, m. 
Thankful Cook, and had, Esther, Thankful, Susanna and Stephen ; VIII. 
Silas, b. Nov. 22, 1719, m. wid. Olcott; IX. Hannah, b. Feb. 23, 1722 ; 
X. Bathshua, b. Sept. 1, 1726, m. Ralph Lines; XI. Benjamin, b. Feb. 
1, 1728, m. Elizabeth Roberts; XH. Noah, b. Nov. 24, 1736, d. Jan. 
13. 1760. 

4. Dea. Gideon, son of Stephen, (3,) m. Anna Brocket, June 18, 
1737, who d. and he m. 2d, Mabel, dau. of Isaac Stiles of Southbury. 
He settled in the southeast part of Waterbury, about 1736, and when 
the society of Salem was organized he was made a deacon of the 
church. He was one of the founders and active supporters of the 
church and society of Columbia, (now Prospect,) was a leading man in 
the town, and served in both the French and Revolutionary wars. He 
d. Sept. 3, 1807, having lived to see 105 grand ch., 155 great grand ch., 
and four of the fifth generation. Ch. : I., Jesse, b. 1738; II. David, b. 

April 5, 1740, ra. Williams ; III. Abraham, d. 1742 ; IV. Abraham, 

b. 1743, d. Oct. 29, 1806 ; V. Gideon, b. Dec. 1744, m. and had ch., 
among whom was Jesse, who m. Elizabeth King. Both he and his wife 
d. in 1833, of the cholera. They had a son, Geo. A., who now resides 
in Indiana. VI. Iludlah, b. June 27, 1747, m. Josiah Paine; VII. 
Anna, b. Oct. 22, 1749, m. Reuben Williams; VIII. Amos, b. Nov. 24, 
1751 ; IX. Submit, b. June 2, 1753, ni. David Paine; X. Titus, b. June 
26, 1755, m. Rachel Guernsey; XI. Eben, b. Dec. 13, 1757, m. Mary, 
dau. of Gideon Sanford of Cheshire, Feb. 15, 1781, and had ch., among 
whom was Gideon Mills, now living in Prospect, on or near the old 
homestead; XII. Asahel, b. Feb. 15, 1760; XIII. Benoni, "died 
before born, July 27, 1762 ;" XIV. Mabel, b. May 23, 1764, m. Chaun- 
cey Judd, and d. May 5, 1797; XV. Phebe, b. Aug. 3, 1765, m. Reu- 
ben Williams, and d. 1789; XVI. Stiles, b. Jan. 31, 1768, m. Polly 



APPENDIX. 507 

Horton, and bad Amanda, Sherman, Demas, Marshall, and a dau. who 
d. young. He lived in Prospect; XVII. Olive, b. Nov. 21, 1769, m. 
William Jones; XVIII. Melliscent, b. May 16, 1771, m. David San- 
ford ; XIX. Amzi, b. July 3, 1774, resides in Meriden. 

5. Jesse, son of Dea. Gideon, (4,) m. a dau. of Peter Maliory of 
Stratford, Oct. 2, 1759, and d. in the army, Sept. 29, 1776. lie had, 
I. Asahel, b. 1760; 11. Charity, b. 1761; III. Bulah, b. 1762; IV- 
Gabril, b. 1763; V. Rebecca, b. 1765; VI. Temperance, b. 1767; 

VII. b. 1768; VIII. Chloe, b. 1771 ; IX. Anna, b. 1772; X. 

Huldah, b. 1774 ; XL Jesse, b. 1776. 

6. David, son of Dea. Gideon, (4,) m, Abigail Douglas of Meriden, 

Nov. 21, 1763, who d. April 5, 1775, and he m. 2d, Todd, July 5, 

1775; Ch.: I. Aseneth, b. 1764; II. Sarah, b. 1766; III. Fred- 
erick, b. 1768 ; IV. Levina, b. 1770 ; V. Amraphel, b. 1772 ; VI. Cyrus, 
b. 1774; VII. Charles Todd, b. 1776 ; VIII. Abigail, b. 1778; IX. Gil- 
lard, b. 1780 ; X. Peninah, b. 1783. 

7. Abraham, son of Dea. Gideon, (4,) lived in Watertown, m. Sarah, 
dau. of John Weed, Dec. 28, 1767, and d.Oct. 29, 1806. Ch.: I. John, 
b. 1768 ; 11. Ezra, b. 1772 ; III. Lois, b. 1773 ; IV. Hannah, b. 1775 ; 
V. Joel, b. 1781 ; VL Benjamin, b. 1786. 

8. Amos, son of Dea. Gideon, (4.) m. Abigail, dau. of Ephraim Scott, 
Dec. 24, 1772. Ch.: L Woodward, b. Oct. 19, 1773 ; IL Sabra, b. July 
19, 1777 ; IIL Avera, b. April 5, 1779; IV. Molly, b. Feb. 9, 1783; 
V. Orel, b. April 11, 1785, d. 1789 ; VL Amos IL, b. Feb. 18, 1788 ; 
VIL Orren, b. April 1, 1792, settled in Naugatuck ; VIIL Abigail O., 
b. Sept. 10, 1779, d. 1804. 

9. Asahel, son of Dea. Gideon, (4,) m. Sarah Williams, March 22, 
1781, who d. in 1794, and he m. 2d, Phebe Merriam of Cheshire, June 
7, 1794; Ch. : L Sally, b. 1781; IL Curtiss, b. 1783; IIL Dyer, b. 
1785, has a family, lives in Naugatuck; IV. Esther, b. 1788; V. Tem- 
perance, b. 1797, m. Andrews, resides in Sharon, Conn.; VL 

Asahel A., b. 1799, resides in Sharon, has a family; VII. Marcus, b. 
1801, lives in Naugatuck, has a family; VIIL Phebe Maria, b. 1805. 

10. Woodward, son of Amos, (8,) m. Polly, dau. of Capt. Phineas 
Castle, April 2, 1797. They are both living and reside in Prospect. 
Ch. : I. Castle, b. May 10, 1798, m. Artemesia Stillman of Burlington, 
Conn., and removed to Ohio; IL Wm., b. Aug. 1800, m. Elizabeth 
Thorndike of Va.— settled in Ohio, and d. in March, 1842 ; III. Rhoda, 
b. Jan. 25, 1803, m. F. M. Benham and removed to Ohio; IV. Polly, 
b. July 3, 1805, m. Ilervey Norton and settled in Western N. Y. ; V. 
Julius, b. July 11, 1810, m. Melissa, dau. of Enoch Perkins of Oxford, 



508 HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

Conn., April 29, 1832, and at present resides in Middletown. lie was 
the first mayor of the city of Waterbury ; VI. Albert, b. April 10, 
1813, m. Abbey Benio of Middletown, and d. Jan. 22, 1844; VII. 
Sarah C, b. Sept. 8, 1818, and d. Nov. 1848. 

JUDD. 

1. Dea. TiiOM.\s Judd* of Farmington had ch., Elizabeth, William, 
Thomas, John, Benjamin, Mary, Ruth, Philip and Samuel. 

2. William, son of Dea. Thomas, (1,) had, Mary, Thomas, John, 
Rachel, Samuel, Daniel and Elizabeth. 

3. Lieut. Thomas, son of Dea. Thomas, (1,) had, Tlioma*, John and 
Sarah. 

^ Dea. Thomas, son of William, (2) had, William, Martha, Rachel, 
Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth and Stephen. 

5. Thomas, son of Lieut. Thomas, (3,) had, Ti)omas, Joseph, Sarah, 
Elizabeth, Joannah, Joseph, Ebenezer, Mary, Rachel and Abigail. 

6. John, son of Lieut. Thomas, (3,) m. Hannah, dau. of Serg. Samuel 
Uickox, April 16, 1696, and d. in 1717. His wid. d. July 17, 1750. 
Ch.: L Hannah, b. Feb. 2, 1697, d. March 12, 1713 ; IL John, b. June 
28, 1699; IH. Samuel, b. Nov. 6, 1703; IV. Thomas, b. Jan. 10, 
1705, d. 1706; V. Thomas, b. July 10, 1707; VL Benjamin, b. Aug. 

28, 1710; VH. Ebenezer, b. 1713, 

7. Capt. William, son of Dea. Thomas, (4,) m. Mary Root, and d. Jan. 

29, 1772. Ch.: I.Timothy, b. Dec. 28, 1713 ; H. Stephen, b. Aug. 17, 
1715 ; in. Hannah, b. Sept. 12, 1 717, d. unm, ; 'V. Jonathan, b. Oct. 4, 
1719, (seep. 421;) V. A dau., d. without a name ; VI. Elnalhan, b. Aug. 7, 

1724 ; VI. Mary, b. Nov. 22, 1727, m. 1st, Thomas Richards, 2d, 

Hurlbut; VIIL William, b. Jan. 12, 1729-30; IX. Sarah, b. Nov. 30, 
1732, m. Benjamin Richards. 

8. Joseph, son of Thomas, (5,) returned from Kensington and set- 
tled in present Naugatuck. He m. Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Royce of 
Waliingford, Nov. 10, 1726, and d. Feb. 16, 1750. His wid. d. May 
14, 1770. Ch.: L Isaac, b. Nov. 18, 1727; H. Phebe, b. May 10, 
1729; IH. Elizabeth, b. April 7, 1732, m. Abner Lewis, and lived in 
Sandersfield, Mass.; IV. Lois, b. Jan. 9, 1735, d. 1750; V. Ebenezer, b. 
Nov. 23, 1737; VL Ruth, b. May 23, 1740, m. Abraham Lewis: VII. 
Abigail, b. June 23, 1742-3, d. 1750. 

9. Lieut. John, son of John, (6,) m. Mercy, dau. of Samuel Bronson 

* For a full account of the three first generations of this family, see p. 155 of this work. The 
reader is also referred to an extended genealogy by Sylvester Judd, Esq., of Northampton, 



APPENDIX. 509 

of Kensington, Jan. 6, 1V31-2. She d. 1737. lie d. May 11, 1797, 
Ch.: I. Jemima, b. Nov. 12, 1732, m. David Taylor, 1760, d. 1761 ; II. 
Samuel, b. Dec. 26, 1734; III. Noah, b. Oct. 13, 1737. 

10. Samuel, son of John, (6,) m, Elizabeth, dau. of David Scott, Jan. 
13, 1730-31; lived in Watertown— d. Jan. 30, 1793. Chi.: I.Asa, 
b. Sept. 29, 1726 ; II. Esther, b. Aug. 11, 1728, m. Cyrus Stovve ; III. 
Hannah, b. Nov. 8, 1731, ra. David Garnsey ; IV. John, b. Aug. 4, 
1733. 

11. Thomas, son of John, (6,) m. Ann, dau. of Daniel Porter, May 
11, 1732, and d. 1739. His wid. m. James Nichols. Ch. : I. Michael, 
b. Sept. 7, 1733, d. Oct. 8, 1734 ; II. Michael, b. Aug. 24, 1735 ; III. 
Susanna, b. Jan. 23, 1737-8, m. Ezra Bronson, Esq., Sept. 6, 1753. 

12. Benjamin, son of John, (6,) m. Abigail, dau. of Gilbert Adams 
of Simsbury, Jan. 8, 1738. She d. Nov. 7, 1755. He removed from 
Waterbury to Harwinton — was a physician. Ch. : I. A dau., b. April 
30, 1739; II. Benjamin, b. June 6, 1740, d. young; HI. Thomas, b. 
April 12, 1743 ; IV. Annis, b. Nov. 25, 1744, m. an Alford ; V. Joel, 
b. July 15, 1748, m. Mercy Hickox ; ch., l,Uri; 2, Benjamin IL, who 
now lives in Watertown ; 3, Randall ; 4, Uri ; 5, Lucy ; VI. Benjamin, 
b. Jan. 8, 1755. 

13. Ebenezer, son of John, (6,) m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Hawkins of 
Derby, Nov. 17, 1742, and removed to Claremont, N. II. Ch. : I. 
Brewster, b. Jan. 12, 1744, was in the Revolutionary war, removed to 
New Hampshire; II. Enoch, b. July 21, 1745, m. Iphenia Warner, no 
ch. ; IH. Ebenezer, b. May 28, 1747, went to New Hampshire; IV. 
Sarah, b. Jan. 2, 1749, d. 1755 ; V. David, b. Oct. 11, 1750, d. unm. ; VI. 
Benajah, b. Sept. 15, 1752, d. in the Revolutionary service ; VII. Amos, 
b. Sept. 11, 1755, no ch. ; VIH. Hawkins, m. Annis Butler; IX. Sarah, 
m. Ephraim Page ; X. Mary, m. Benjamin Alden ; XL Hannah. 

14. Timothy, Esq., son of William, (7,) graduated at Yale College in 
1737, lived in Westbury, was a magistrate, &c. He m. March 29, 
1744, Mary, dau. of Thomas Clark. She d. Nov. 8, 1744, and he m. 
Melliscent, wid. of John Southmayd, Oct. 9, 1749, who d. March 26, 
1763, and he m. 3d, Ann, wid. of Benjamin Sedgwick, and mother of 
Judge Theodore Sedgwick. He m. 4tb, Mary, wid. of Samuel Foote. 
She d. Oct. 1782. Ch. : L Mary, b. Nov. 11, 1751, m. an Andruss, and 
lived in Binghampton, N. Y. ; IL Parthenia, b. Aug. 6, 1754, m. Avery 
Skilton, March 26, 1771. He was a son of Dr. Henry Skilton from 
England, and lived in Bethlem and Watertown. She d. March 30, 
1829. IIL AlK-n S., b. Oct. 5, 1756, lived in Northfield— removed to 
Windsor, N. Y.— had eleven ch. ; IV. Giles, b. Oct. 30, 1758, d. Sept. 3, 



510 HISTORY OF WATEKBURT. 

1V59 ; y. Melliscent, b. Aug. 21, 17G0, d. Aug. 30, 17G2 ; YI. Timothy, 
b. Jan. 21, 1763, d. May 26, 1763. 

15. Stephen, son of William, (7,) m. Margary, dau. of Caleb Clark, 
May 31, 1743. She d. Feb. 11, 1746-7, and lio m. 2d, Mary, dau. of 
Thomas Virheeler of Woodbury, April 28, 1748, who d. Aug. 11, 
1749. He then m. Lydia, dau. of Dr. Ebenezer Warner of Woodbury, 
March 13, 1751. She d. June 2, 1763, and he m. 4th, Else, wid. of 
Phineas Matthews, Nov. 10, 1768, and d. Oct. 12,1771. Ilis fourth 
•wife d. with her son Erastus at Jefi'erson, N.Y., Aug. 1799. Ch. : I. 
Thomas, b. Feb. 9, 1743-4, removed to Ilarper^field, N. Y. — had eight 
ch. ; II. Lydia, b. Sept. 18, 1745, m. Justus Daily; III. Daniel, b. May 
9, 1749, d. Aug. 1749; IV. Daniel, b. Jan. 17, 1751-52— was a sol- 
dier in the expedition to Quebec, where he d. Feb. 2, 1776, of small- 
pox ; V. Hannah, b. Oct. 31, 1753, m. Abijah Baird, lived at Harpersfield ; 
VI. Freeman, b. Aug. 10, 1755 — was in the expedition to Quebec. He 
d. at Lockport, N. Y., March 5, 1840 — had thirteen ch.; YII. Stephen, b- 
May 1, 1757, settled in Harpersfield, N. Y. — no ch.— d. Jan. 8, 1821 ; 
VIII. "Margret," b. Jan. 23, 1759, m. Noble Atwood ; IX. Eben War- 
ner, b. April 12, 1761, removed to Middlebury, Vt., and d. there, Sept. 
18, 1837— had four ch. ; X. Erastu^ b. June 29, 1771, m. Ruth Hick- 
ox, and went to Jefferson, N. Y., where he d. May 22, 1837. He had 
nine ch. 

16. Elnatiian, son of William, (7,) m, Miriam, dau. of Samuel 
Richards, Nov. 28, 1752. He lived in Westbury, and d. there Jan. 
3, 1777. His wid. d. at Paris, N. Y., Jan. 12, 1806. Ch.: I. Richard 
Samuel, b. Oct. 16, 1753, d. in Clinton, N. Y., April 6, 1821— left no 
ch. : 11. Clarinda, b. May 16, 1755, d. unm. Nov. 29, 1804 ; III. Sarah, 
b. Sept. 14, 1757, d. unm., Marcli, 1790; IV. Dotha, b. Feb. 26, 1760, 
m. Maj. Joseph Cutler— had 11 ch. and d. at Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 6, 
1833; V. Consider, b. June 13, 1762, d. next day; VI. Melliscent, b. 
July 7, 1763, m. Samuel Prentice — went W^st, had 5 ch., and d. Feb. 
23, 1828 ; VII. Miriam, b. April 12, 1766, m. Smith Arnold. He be- 
came a Methodist minister and lived in various places in N. Y. ; VIII. 
Elnathan, b. Dec. 7,1773, removed to Paris, N. Y., thence to Troy, 
Mich., was a physician, and d. Sept. 4, 1845. 

17. William, son of William, (7,) m. Mary, dau. of Isaac Castle, Nov. 
2, 1752, who d. March 12, 1777, and he m. 2d, wid. Sarah Green of 
Stamford, Oct. 1778. He removed to Harpersfield, N. Y., and thence 
to Jefferson, where he d. Nov. 22, 1815. Ch.: I. Demas, b. Sept. 10, 
1753, ra. Maranah Garnsey, removed to Jefferson, N. Y., and d. Sept. 
22, 1840— had 14 ch. ; II. Balmarine, b. Sept. 20, 1755, m. Abigail 



APPENDIX. 511 

Thompson, lived in Huntington, Conn., and d. May 19, 1840 — had 10 
cli.; III. William, b. April 1, 1758 — went to Jefferson, N. Y., d. Aug. 

24, 1839 — was a Revolutionary pensioner ; IV. Mary Root, b. Dec. 
21, 1759, m. Daniel Garnsey and went to Harpersfield, N. Y. ; V. 
" Luce," b. July 2, 1764, m. Isaac Garnsey — went to Harpersfield ; VI. 
Shelden, b. July 10, 1767, d. 1768; VII. Shelden, b. Oct. 17, 1768, 
lived at Scipio, N. Y., and d. May 12, 1806— had 4 cb. ; VIII. 
"Perthena," b. Dec. 3, 1771, unm. IX. Marvin, b. May 16, 1775, 
settled in Jefferson, N. Y. — had 1 son. 

18. Isaac, son of Joseph, (8,) m. Anna, dau. of Daniel Williams, 
June 23, 1751-2. He lived at Judd's Meadow, and d. June 10, 1808. 
His wid. d. July 1, 1822. Ch.: I. Roswell, b. Nov. 6, 1752, m. Lois 
Scott, June 17, 1777. He lived in Salem and had 9 ch.; 11. Rosanna, 
b. Oct. 6, 1754. m. 1st, Edward Perkin?, 2d, James Brown; III. Isaac, 
b. Nov. 19, 1756, m. Patience Hammond, and settled in Woodbridge, 
Conn.— had 7 ch.; IV. Walter, b. Nov. 11, 1758, m. Margaret Terril, 
May 3, 1782, lived in Salem so 3., and d. April 2, 1833— had 6 ch. ; V. 
Apaline, b. Jan. 25, 1761, m. Elias Lounsbury of Bethany ; VI. Chaun- 
cey, b. July 8, 1764, lived in Salem, was in the Revolutionary war, m. 
1st, Mabel, dau. of Gideon Hotchkiss, 2d, Eunice French — had 10 ch. ; 
VIL and VIIL Anna and Ruth, b. July 6, 1767 ; Anna d. in 1773— 
Ruth m. Andrew Smith, and had 5 ch. ; IX. Milla, b. Oct. 1769, m. 
Isaac Perkins of Bethany; X. Reuben, b. May 28, 1772, m. Dorcas 
Smith, had 2 ch. and d. at Bethany, July 4, 1840; XI. Asel, b. June 
23, 1776, m. Polly Johnson, and d. at Bethany, Oct. 13, 1834 — had 4 
ch. ; XII. Harvey, b. Dec. 3, 1778, lived in Salem, m. 1st, Jemima 
Hickox, Dec. 25, 1800, who d. Nov. 1, 1803, and he m. 2d, Mrs. Lucy 
Twitchel, formerly a Hinman, Aug. 12, 1810 — had 7 ch. 
* 19. Ebenezer, son of Joseph, (8,) m. Anna Charles, Feb. 7, 1765, 
who d. Aug. 10, 1782, and he m. Betsey, dau. of Nathan Hill of 
Cheshire, Oct. 8, 1782. He was then residing in Goshen. She d. 
Nov. 23, 1807, and he m. 3d, Mary Hurlbut, Jan. 28, 1808, and remov- 
ed to Cornwall, Vt., and thence to Onondaga, N. Y. His wife d. June 

25, 1821. He d. Sept. 27, 1823. Ch. : L Charles, b. March 2, 1766, d. 
1779 ; H. Abigail, b. March 31, 1768, m. David Landon ; lived and d. in 
Solon, N. Y.; IIL Allin, b. March 19, 1770, d. 1772; IV. Allin, 
b. March 9, 1772, m. Clarissa Palmer ; lived in Orwell, Vt., and thence 
removed to the State of N. Y. — was drowned about 1817 — left 6 ch. ; 
V. Amzi, b. Dee. 21, 1774, unm.; VL Anna, b. March 16, 1777, m- 
Reuben Dibble, and lived in German, Chenango Co., N. Y. — both dead; 
VII. Asa, b. Feb. 11, 1780, m. Sarah Burdick, lived in German, left 2 



512 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

daus. ; VIII. Ambrose, b. Aug. 23, 1783, m. Nancy Johnson of South- 
bury, Conn., Dec. 16, 1806 ; resides at Marcelhis, N. Y. — a deacon — has 
5 eh.; IX. Ruth, b. Oct. 19, 1785, in. Constant Fenn, resides in Onon- 
daga, N. Y. ; X. Esther, b. April 19, 1789, d. when 12 years old. 

20. Capt. Samuel, son of Lieut. John, (9,) m. Bede, dau. of Isaac 
Hopkins, March 31, 1763. She d. March 20, 1810. He kept a public 
house on the north side of West Main street 52 years, and d. Sept. 11, 
1825. Gh. : I. Mary, b. Feb. 20, 1764, m. Timon Miles of Waterbury, 
Aprils, 1785, d. June 2, 1845; II. Olive, b. July 21, 1767, unra., 
d. Nov. 3, 1849 ; III. John, b. April 11, 1769, d. 1769; IV. Sarah, b. 
Nov. 18, 1771, m. Israel Holmes from Greenwich, Sept. 9, 1773, lived 
in Waterbury and d. March 19, 1821; V. Hannah, b. June 7, 1774, 
unm., resides on the old homestead; VI. Samuel, b. June 5, 1777- 

21. NoAii, son of Lieut. John, (9,) m. Rebecca, dau. of Jonathan 
Prindle, July 10, 1760. He lived in Watertown and d. Sept. 3, 1822. 
His widow d. March 19, 1838, aged 99. Ch. : I. Jemima, b. Aug. 10, 
1761, m. Samuel Woodward; II. Harvey, b. May 5, 1763, went to 
Coventry, N. Y., — had four ch. ; III. Michael, b. Feb. 19, 1765, went 
to the State of New York,— had 6 cb. ; IV. Eleftzar, b. Aug. 22, 1769, 
lived iu Watertown — had ch. ; V. Susannah, m. Ebenezer French, d. 
Oct. 31, 1832; VL Leverett, b. about 1774, m. Olive C. Steel and re- 
sided in Bethlera, Conn. He d. Dec. 11, 1841. His wid. d. Feb. 20, 
1848. Ch.: Garwood, has ch. — resides in the State of New York ; 2. 
Anna, m. Titus Pierce and resides in South .Britain ; 3. Daniel, resides 
in the State of New York; 4. Erasmus, lives in Ohio; 5. Leverett P., 
resides in Bethlera, has ch. ; VII. Bethel, graduated at Yale College in 
1797 — long a minister of the Episcopal Church. He received the de- 
gree of D. D. from Washington College in 1831 ; VHI. Hannah, m- 
Demming ; IX. Jonathan, — was an Episcopal minister at Cam- 
bridge, Md. ; X. Elijah, d. Dec. 24, 1794, a. 10 ; XI. Hannah, d. Nov. 
13, 1833. 

22. JoHN^, son of Samuel, (10,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Ebenezer Rich- 
ards, April 10, 1755, and lived in Watertown. She d. March 22, 1779> 
and he d. Dec. 23, 1793. Ch. : I. Levi, b. March 16, 1756, d. July 21, 
1756 ; IL Levi, b. Oct., 1757, m. Eunice Hubbard and had 10 ch. He 
lived in Watertown and d. Nov. 30, 1810; III. Abigail, b. July 3. 
1760, d. 1760; IV. John, b. June 27, 1661, went West; V. Chandler, 
b. April 3, 1763; VL Abigail, b. April 7, 1765; VIL Susanna, b. 
March 19, 1769 ; VIL Annah, b. Sept. 26, 1772 ; IX. Esther, b. Feb. 
11,1775. 

23. Asa, son of Samuel, (10,) ra. Melliscent, dau. of Samuel Silkrigs, 



APPENDIX. 513 

June 27, 1761. Ch. : I. Mercy, b. Nov. 29, 1701 ; II. Samuel, b. Feb. 
28, 1763 ; III. Melliscent, b. March 29, 1765 ; IV. Asa; V. Elkanah ; 
VI. Alpheus. 

24. RoswELL, son of Isaac, (18,) ra. Lois Scott, June 17, 1777. Ch. : 
I. Esther, b. June 17, 1778, m. Samuel Peck; II. Leava, b. Feb. 7, 
1780, m. Rev. Samuel Potter; III. Anna, b. Oct. 1, 1782, m. Russel 
Chamberlain of Kent; IV. Tamer, b. Sept. 22, l784, m. Ira Pond of 
Camden, N.Y.; V. Chloe, b. Sept. 1, |1786, m. Russel Chamberlain 
after the death of Anna; VI. Rosvvell C, b. May 20, 1789 — went to 
Illinois; VII. Lois A, b. June 12, 1791, m. Baird Candee of Nauga- 
tuck; Vin. Laura, b. July 30, 1794, unm.; IX. Asahel, b. Aug. 15, 
1797, ra. Polly Piatt of Waterbury. 

25. Samuel, son of Capt. Samuel, (20,) m. Cleora, dau. of Benja- 
min Baldwin, Aug. 30, 1798. She d. Dec. 9, 1809. He m. 2d, Polly, 
dau. of Jesse Beecher of Woodbridge, April 5, 1812, and d. March 19, 
1813, aged 36. His widow d. Aug. 30, 1815, in her 33d year. Ch. : 
I. Elizabeth Cook, b. Aug. 23, 1800, m. James Morriss of Cussewaga, 
Pa.; H. Sophia Hopkins, b. Aug. 6, 1805, d. Aug. 25, 1815. 

26. Chandler, son of John, (22,) m. Scott, and d. Dec. 21, 

1791. Ch. : I. Harvey, b. 1787, left home while young and was never 
beard of more ; II. Sarah, b. Oct. 3, 1789, ra. Ephraim Netlleton of 
Waterbury and had 2 ch. ; III. Chandler, (posthumous,) b. July 20, 

1792, ra. Grace Lura of Southbury, Aug., 1819, and had 3 sons and 2 
daughters — resides in Watertown. 

Stephen Judd of Waterbury, was in West Hartford, Aug., 1751 ; 
parentage unknown. He m. Sarah Russel of Wallingford, Jan. 18, 
1776, and d. July 10, 1820. Ch. : L Thomas, b. Oct. 28, 1776, m. Bet- 
sey Clark of Wallingford, Oct., 1800— had 8 ch.— lived in Southing- 
ton ; II. Stephen, b. Jan. 29, 1780, m. Pamela Stilwell of Cairo, Green 
Co., N. Y., and removed to Ohio; IIL Elizabeth, b. 1782, m. John 
Tuttle, d. at Waterbury in 1848; IV. Hepzibab, b. May 23, 1784, ra. 
Joseph Root of Waterbury; V. Jesse, b. Oct. J 1, 1786, — lives in 
Greenwood, Steuben Co., N. Y., where he m. Mary Stotenburg ; VI. 
Nabby Curtis, b. April 10, 1791, m. Araasa Roberts of Middletown ; 
VH. Sally Russell, b. Nov. 1, 1793, d. 1794; VIIL Sarah Ann, b. 
Aug. 18, 1795, m. Jesse Lambert of Waterbury; IX. Harvey, b. Aug. 
25, 1798, m. Sally Brown, Dec. 31, 1821, and had Samuel C. and 
Harvey. He d. in Ohio in 1833 ; X. William Russell, b. May 9, 1802, 
married and had ch. — lives in Waterbury. 
33 



514 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 



\ 



KENDRICK. 



John, the grandfather of Green Kendrick, was a Virginian, supposed 
to be of the second or third generation from the original ancestor from 
Massachusetts. He was a tobacco planter^ and had four sons, — John, 
WilliaTn, James and Benjamin, and four or five daughters. He was 
born about the year 1735, and died in 1810. John, his eldest son, the 
father of Green, removed to North Carolina about the year 1786, and 
was a tobacco planter, until the invention of the cotton gin, by Whit- 
ney, when he became a cotton planter. He was a man of ability, integ- 
rity, and eminent usefulness in all matters pertaining to the church, the 
State and society. He was a deacon of the Baptist church, was born 
in 1764, and d. 1823. 

The wife of the above John Kendrick was Martha Dinkins, dau. of 
John Dinkins, a wealthy planter, believed to have been of Welch de- 
scent. She was b. in 1765, and d. in 1825 ; was a w^oman of many 
virtues, fulfilling the duties of life with a scrupulous regard to the pre- 
cepts of the Bible. She was the mother of eleven children, nine of 
whom became heads of families. There were eiglit sons, and three daus. 
Green was the seventh child, and is the only survivor. 

V Green Kendrick was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, 
April 1, 1798. From seven to ten years of age, he attended a common 
country school, to and from which he walked more than three miles, 
night and morning. From ten to nineteen, he labored on the planta- 
tion, attending school at such brief intervals as his duties on the planta- 
tion would allow. For two years during the latter part of the time, he 
enjoyed somewhat better educational advantages than was common for 
the sons of planters at that time. He was very ambitious, both in his 
labors in the field and in his studies, and thus accomplished more than 
most others with whom he was associated. His father taught him in- 
dustry and necessity made him frugal. At the age of nineteen, after 
teaching a common school nine months, he obtained a place in a country 
store, where he remained about a year, when he procured a more desir- 
able position as salesman in a store in Charlotte, the County town. In 
a little more than a year he purchased the stock of goods of his 
employer on a credit, and commenced business on his own account. In 

V. 1823, he married Anna Maria, dau. of Mark Leavenworth of Water- 
bury. The death of his father, which occurred about this time, put 
him in possession of additional means. He continued the mercantile 
business at Charlotte until the spring of 1829, when he closed it and 



APPENDIX. 515 

removed to Waterbiiry, where he engaged in the manufacture of clocks, v 
under the name of Mark Leavenworth & Co., and in that of gilt buttons, 
under the name of Leavenworth & Kendrick. Since then he has con- 
tinued to be interested to some extent in the manufacture of the various 
articles for which Waterbury is somewhat distinguished. 

In 1845, 1847 and 1848, Mr. Kendrick was a member of the House 
of Representatives of Connecticut. In 1846, he was elected to the 
Senate^' and was chosen Lieut. Governor in 1851. In 1854, he was 
again a member of the House, and speaker after the resignation of L. 
F. S. Foster, who was elected to the United States Senate. Through- 
out the session of 1856, he was the speaker of the House of Repre- 
sentatives. 

LEAVENWORTH.* 

1. Thomas Leavenworth settled in Woodbury, prior to 1682. 
Whence he came, I am not informed. He died Aug. 3, 1683, at which 
date the inventory of his estate was exhibited to the Court of Probafe, of 
Fairfield Co., and his estate was ordered to be distributed to his widow, 
one third to his eldest son, a double portion to his second child, a 
daughter, and to his third child, a son, a single portion — names not 
given. In the settlement of John Leavenworth's estate, the names of 
the two sons are found to have been, Thomas and John. Thomas set- 
tled in Stratford and is the progenitor of the Waterbury and Wood- 
bury Leavenworths. Of John, I have no definite information, but am 
led to believe he had no male issue. 

2. John, brother of Thomas, (1,) also settled in Woodbury, and d. 
previous to Nov. 1, 1702, when Thomas Leavenworth of Stratford was 
appointed administrator of his estate, Feb. 28, 1704. The court order- 
ed the estate to be distributed to Thomas, the administrator, and to 
John, brother of the latter. 

3. Thomas, son of Thomas, (1,) settled in Stratford, Ripton parish, 
where he had land recorded, Jan. 1702, " near Mill River." He d. in 
1748 ; his widow, Mary, in 1758. The following are mentioned as his 
children, May 5, 1734. (In his will, dated July 6, 1748, and in the will 
of Mary his widow, dated May 11, 1758, Edmund and Ebenezer are 

* I am aware that my account of the genealogy of this family will not agree with the 
genealogical tree belonging to the family, which was published a few years since ; neither will it 
correspond with the sketch found in Woodbury His., p. 614, especially the first paragraph in 
that work, as the first part of that sketch was taken from that tree by the special request of 
members of the family. The genealogy here given, has been drawn from various records, with 
the utmost care, and may be relied upon as fact. The investigations I have giTen the public 
records, convince me that the tree was drawn from that untruthful story-teller, tradition. 

P. M. T 



5,16 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

omitted. ) Ch. : I. Edmund, remained at Stratford, and d. between July 
12 and Aug. 15, 1783, leaving a wife. Abigail, and ch. In the distribu- 
tion of his estate, Gideon and Edmund are named as his sons ; II. 
Jume?, remained at Stratford ; III. Ebenezer, of Ripton parish, Strat- 
ford, d. in 1V34, gave his estate to his father, and to his brothers and 
sisters, (as here named ;) IV. John settled in Woodbury and d. in 
1783, aged 11;* V. David of Woodbury, d. April 10, 1735; VI. 
Zebulon, settled in Woodbury, and d. in 1793 ; VII. Mark, b.'' 1711 ; 

VIII. Thomas, settled in Woodbury; IX. Mary, m. Joseph Perry; X. 
Hannah, m. Nicholas Moss; XI. Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 1721, m. Abner 
Perry. 

4. James, son of Thomas, (3,) remained at Stratford, m. Hester 
Trowbridge, Aug. 23, 1720, and d. 1759. Ch. : I. Mahitable, b. July 

28, 1721, m. Waterman ; II. Tamer, b. May 28, 1727, m. 

Hurd ; HI. Samuel, b. Feb. 21, 1729 : IV. Daniel, b. March 25, 1731; 

V. Ann, b. April 14, 1733, m. Lake; VI. Mary, b. Aug. 13, 

1735; VII. James, b. July6, ;737; VIII. Esther, b. Jan. 27, 1739; 

IX. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 22, 1743, d. before 1759. 

5. Rev. Mark, (see p. 283,) son of Tlios., (3,) settled in Waterbury. 
He m. Feb. 6, 1739-40, Ruth, dau. of Jeremiah Peck, and grand-dau. 
of Rev. Jeremiah Peck. She d. Aug. 8, 1750, and he m. Dec. 4, 1750, 
Sarah, dau. of Jesse Hull, of Derby. He d. Aug. 20, 1797. His wid. 
Sarah, d. May 7, 1808, aged 82. Ch. : I. Jesse, b. Nov. 22, 1741 ; II. 
Mark, b. May 26, 1752, grad. Y. C, m. the wid. of Wm. Sherman, (son 
of Roger,) went to France with Joel Barlow, and d. in Paris, in 1812 ; 
II. Joseph, b. Jan. 19, 1755, d. 1756 ; IV. Sarah, b. Dec. 11, 1756, m. 
Doct. Isaac Baldwin, and had three daughters, two of whom, Sarah and 
Esther, m. Doct. Edward Field ; the other, Rebecca, d. unm. ; V. William, 
b.Feb. 23, 1759; VI. Nathan, b. Dec. 11, 1761, d. 1797; VII. Joseph, 
b. June 15, 1764; VIII. Elisha, b. Oct. 13, 1766, m. 1st, Mrs. Russell, 
2d, Stone of Derby — had one son by first wife. 

6. Samuel, son of James, (4,) had ch., and among them Joseph, b. 
in 1773. 

7. Jesse, son of Rev. Mark, (5,) grad. Y. C. in 1760, m. July 1, 1761, 
Catharine, wid. of Capt. Culpeper Frisbie of Branford, and dau. of Mr. 
John Conkling of Southampton, L. I. She d. June 29, 1824, aged 87. 
Ch. : I. Meliues Conkling, b. Jan. 4, 1762, grad. Y. C. in 1781, and 
went South. In 1801, he m. Mrs. Ann Lamar, of Augusta, Geo., and 

• continued to reside in that city until his death, which occurred July 20, 

* See Woodbury His., p. 614 ; also for the children of David, Thomas and Zebulon. 



APPENDIX. 517 

1823 ; II. Ruth, b. Feb. 25, 1764, m. Capt. Moses Elkins of Peacham, 
Vt., and removed to Canada, where she d. and where several of her ch. 
now reside; III. Dr. Frederick, b. Sept. 4, 1766; lY. Catharine, b. 
1768, m. 1st, Dennis, 2d, Thos. Peck, and d. June 25, 1815, leav- 
ing a son and two daughters; V. Jesse, b. Aug. 1771 ; VI. Mark, b. 
Aug. 31, 1774. 

8. William, son of Rev. Mark, (5 ) m. Hannah, dau. of Ezra Bron- 
son, Esq., May 1, 1781. Ch. : I. Sarah, b. June 20, 1784, m. Joel 
Walters of New Haven, and had sons. Rev. William, James, and a dau. 
Caroline, perhaps others; II. William, b. June 20,1786, m. Fanny, 
dau. of Abel Porter, and had a dau. Sarah, who m. B. P. Watrous; is 
now Mrs. Nash of Akron, Ohio. 

9. Doct. Frederick, son of Jesse, (7,) m. Fanny, dau, of Abner 
Johnson, May 19, 1796. Ch. : I. Lucia, b. March 24, 1797, m. Rev. 
Asa M. Train, of Milford ; II. Eliza, b. Dec. 7, 1798, m. C. D. Kings- 
bury ;* III. Frederick A., b. June 13, 1801, and d. about 1809 ; IV. 
Abner J., b. July 12, 1803 ; V. Fanny A., m. Nathanial Worden, of 
Bridgeport; VI. Elisha. 

10. Jesse, son of Jesse, (7,) removed to Danville, Yt., early in life, 
where he resided until his death, Jan. 1, 1830. He m. 1st, Nancy Pope, 

2d, Martha Morrill. Ch. : I. Catharine, m. Hazelton ; II. Doct. 

Frederick; III. Nancy, d. 1821; IV. Fanny, m. Hazelton; V. 

Maria, d. 1824 ; VI. Melina, d. 1825 ; VII. Jane, b. 1817 ; VHL Mark, 
b. 1828. 

* Joseph Kingsbury, from whom C. D. Kingsbury is descended, is supposed to have emigrated 
from England to Boston, prior to 1640. He settled at Haverhill, Mass., and had a son Joseph' 

2. Joseph, son of Joseph, (1,) settled at Norwich Farms, now Franklin, Conn., about J685. 
The farm on which he settled is still owned and occupied by members of the family. He had 
six sons ; the youngest was named Nathaniel. 

3. Nathaniel, son of Joseph, (2,) had 9ch. who lived to mnnhood, but all d. in early or middle 
life, except John and Jacob. The/ last mentioned was a colonel in the U. S. army, and d. in 
1837 or 8, aged 81. 

4. John, (see p. 422,) son of Nathaniel, (3,) was b. at Norwich, Dec. 80, 1762. He setUed in 
Waterbury, and m. Marcia, dau. of Dea. Stephen Bronson, Nov. 6, 1794. She d. March 21, 1813. 
He d. Aug. 26, 1844. Ch. : I. Charles D., b. Nov. 7, 1795 ; II. Julius Jesse Bronson, b. Oct. 18, 
1797; III. John Southmayd.b. Nov. IS, 1801 ; IV. Sarah Susanna, b. Nov. 6, 180T, m. William 
Brown, and d. May 30, 1840. 

5. Charles Denison, son of John, (4,) m. Eliza, dau. of Frederick Leavenworth, (9,) March 3, 
1821. Ch. : I. Frederick John, b. Jan. 1, 1823, m. Alathea R., dau. of Wm. H. Scovill, April 29, 
1851. Ch., Wra. Charles and Mary Eunice ; II. Sarah Leavenworth, b. April 1, 1840., 

6. Maj. Julius J. B., (see p. 423,) son of John, (4,) m. Jane C. Stebbins, of N. Y. Ch. : I. Julius 
H., d. in California ; II. Walter ; III. Mary Jane, m. Capt. S. B. Buckner, U. S. army ; IV. 
Henry W., now of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. 

7. John Southmayd, son of John, (4,) m. Abbey H., dau. of Daniel Harden, Jan. 25, 1827. 
Ch. : I. James D., b. Nov. 22, 1827, d. May 7, 1831 ; II. Geo. B., b. Sept. 6, 1829 ; III. Marcia A , 
b. May 1, 1832, m. R. Ware, May 1. 1856; IV. Sylvia E., b. Sept. 7, 1834, m. E. D. Griggs, May 
1, 185t ; V. James D , b. Sept. 7, 1836, d. Jan. 19, 1837 ; VI. Harriet A., b. June 15, 1839 ; A'll. 
Abbey S., b. June 20, 1842 ; VIII. John J. D., b. July 27, 1845. 



518 UI5T0RY OF WATERBURY. 

11. Mark, (see p. 424,) son of Jesse, (7,) m. Ann4 dau. of Moses 
Cook, who d. April 9, 1842, aged G4, and he m. Skisan J., dau. of 
Joseph Cook, Nov. 1844. She d. Dec. 15, 1848, agjd 51. Ch. : I. 
Doct. Melines Conkling, b. Jan. 15, 1796, has been a surgeon in the 
U. S. array, and is an eminent botanist; II. Anna Maria, b. Feb. 10, 
1798, m. Hon. Green Kendrick; III. Mark M., b. May 13, 1800, d. 
July, 1825; IV. Benjamin Franklin, b. July 27, 1803, m. Jane Bar- 
tholomew, was murdered in California ; V. Harriet, b. July 19, 1807, d. 
May 25, 1808 ; VI. Harriet IL, b. May 19, 1810, d. March 23, 1833 ; 
VII. Catharine E., b. Aug. 1, m. Corydon S. Sperry, d. Feb. 9, 1855. 

12. Joseph, son of Samuel, (6,) m. Tamer, dau. of Benj. Richards, 
Jan. 12, 1797. Ch. : Harriet, b. Nov. 19, 1798 ; Hannah, b. Sept. 16, 
1800 ; Joseph S. b. Dec. 2, 1802, d. 1841 ; Samuel K, b. Aug. 11, 1805, 
d. 1814; Rebecca, b. Feb. 9, 1811, d. 1838 ; Mary G., b. Sept. 6, 1814 ; 
Sarah Ann, b. Aug. 9, 1817. 

LEWIS. 

1. Joseph Lewis, of Windsor and Simsbury, had sons, Joseph and 
John. 

2. Dea. Joseph, (see p. 105,) son of Joseph, (1,) settled in Waterbury, 
and m. Sarah, dau. of Abraham Andruss, April 7, 1703. He d. Nov. 
29, 1749, his wife March 6, 1773. Ch. : A dau., b. Aug. 12, 1704, d. 
Sept. 1704; H. Joseph, b. July 12, 1705; IH. Sarah, b. April 29, 
1708, m. Obadiah Warner; IV. John, b. April 14, 1711 ; V. Mary, b. 
June 10, 1714, m. Daniel Williams; VI. Rev. Thomas, b. Aug. 6, 
1710, grad. at Y. C. in 1741, became a Congregational clergyman; 
Vn. Samuel, b. July 6, 1718 ; VIII. Abraham, b. Feb. 1721, d. young. 

3. Joseph, son of Joseph, (2,) m. Marj^ dau. of John Slaughter of Sims- 
bury, Nov. 12, 1727. She d. April 4, 1738, and he m. Elizabeth 

He d. Oct. 22, 1749. Ch.: L Elisha, b. ^an. 30, 1728-9 ; H. Samuel, 
b.Feb. 8, 1730-31 ; IIL Damaras, b. April 22, 1734, ra. Samuel Scott; 
IV. Joseph, b. Oct. 16, 1730; V. Abraham; VI. Khoda, d. May 2, 
1767. 

4. John, son of Joseph, (2,) m. Mary, dau. of Samuel Munn of 
Woodbury, Dec. 4, 1734. She d. Sept. 30, 1749, and he m. Amy, 
dau. of Capt. Samuel Smith of New Haven, May 29, 1750. Ch. : L 
David, b. April, 1736, d. 1754 ; IL John, b. Dec. 1740 ; IIL Sarah, b. 
April, 1743 ; IV. Amy, b. May 24, 1751 ; V. Samuel Smith, b. Sept. 7, 
1753; VL David, b. April 11, 1756. 

5. Dea. Samuel, son of Joseph, (2,) m. Hannah, dau. of Hezekiah 



APPENDIX. 



519 



Rew, May 19, 1743. She d. in 1*759, and he ra. Eunice, dau. of Ephraim 
Beebe of Saybrook, Nov. 7, 1763. He d. April 11, 1788. Ch. : I. 
Abraham, b. Oct. 21, 1744, d. 1749 ; II. Rev. Amzi, b. Oct. 9, 1746, 
was graduated at Y. C. in 1768, and became a clergyman ; III. Olive, 
b. Dec. 10, 1749; IV. Lucy, b. March 18, 1753, m. Simeon Por- 
ter; V. Mary b. 31, 1755, d. 1759 ; VI. Prue, b. Jan. 16, 1759, 

ra. Nathan Porter; VII. Hester, b. May 3, 1765, m. Lucian Spencer; 
VIII. Molle, b. March 9, 1768, m. Culpeper Hoadley ; IX. Samuel, b. 
June 4, 1770, d. while a member of Y. C. ; X. Asahel, b. Aug 8, 1772, 
d. aged 37, leaving a large and respectable family ; XI. Eunice,- b. Dec. 
10, 1775, m. 1st, Ebenezer Fairchild, 2d, Elias Scott, both of Oxford. 

6. EtisiiA, son of Joseph, (3,) m. Tamer, dau. of Samuel Hale of New 
Haven, June 14, 1750. Ch. : I. Jabez, b. Sept. 10, 1751 ; II. Tamer, b. 
Dec. 28, 1752 ; III. Brazilla, b. March 28, 1754 ; IV. Naboth, b. June 
24, 1756. 

7. John, son of John, (4,) was a capt. in the Revolution. He m. 
Sarah, dau. of James Gordon, Nov. 17, 1763, Ch. : I. Anna, b. Jan. 
5, 1765; II. Ezra, b. May 28, 1768; III. Leva, b. July 20, 1770; IV. 
John, b. July 16, 1772; V. Chauncey ; VL Sarah; VIL Alanson ; 
VIIL . 

8. Abraham, son of Joseph, (3,) m. Ruth Judd, Nov. 9, 1767, who 
d. April 20, 1814. Ch. : I. Rhoda, b. June 6, 1769 ; IL Ansel, b. July 
18, 1772, m. Lydia Merrill, and had eleven ch. 

9. Samuel Smith, son of John, (4,) m. Abigail Baldwin, Feb. 22, 
1776, and d. in 1842. Ch. : L Rev. Thomas, b. April 13, 1777, grad. 
Y. C. in 1798, and d. in Georgia, March 3, 1804 ; II. Sally, b. Aug. 30, 
1781 ; III. Milo, b. Oct. 22, 1789, resides in Naugatuck. 

PORTER. 

1. Doct. Daniel Porter of Farmington, had ch. : Daniel, Mary, Nehe 
miah, Richard, Ann, John and Samuel. (See p. 171.) 

2. Doct. Daniel, son of Daniel, (1,) had, Daniel, James, Thomas, 
Deborah, Ebenezer and Anne. (See p. 172.) 

3. Richard, son of Daniel, (1,) had, Daniel, Joshua, Mary, Ruth, 
Samuel, Hezekiah, John, Timothy, Hezekiah, Joshua and Richard. (See 
p. 173.) 

4. Doct. Daniel, son of Daniel, (2,) had, I. Preserved, b. Nov. 23, 
1729 ; II. Dr. Daniel, b. March 17, 1731, was a surgeon in the army, 
and d. at Crown Point in 1759, unm.; HI. Hannah, b. June 16, 1733, 
m. Obadiah Scovill ; IV. Timothy, b. June 19, 1735; V. Susanna, b. 
July 17, 1737, m. 1st, Daniel Killam of New Haven, July 4, 1758, and 



520 HISTORY OF WATERBUKT. 

2d, John Casset of Simsbiiry, Sept. 1767 ; VI. Anna, b. Dec. 6, 1738, 
m. Daniel, son of Josiah Bronson ; YII. Jemima; V' III. Elizabeth. 

5. Doct. James, son of Daniel, (2,) had, I. Huldah, b. Dec. 8, 1733, 

m. 1st, Fairchild, 2d, David Taylor ; II. James, b. Nov. 19, 1737; 

III. David, Aug. 11, 1746. 

6. Capt. Thomas, son of Daniel, (2,) had, I. Sarah, b. Sept. 24, 1728, 
ra. Enoch Scott ; II. Ashbel, b. Feb. 2, 1730; III. Mary, b. Jan. 5, 
1732, m. Joel San ford ; IV. Eunice, b. April 19, 1734, d. unm.; V. 
Thomas, b. May 9, 1736 ; YI. Phineas, b. Dec. 1, 1739 ; VII. Elizabeth, 
b. May 9, 1741, m. Timothy Clark; VIII. Simeon, b. June 18, 1744, 

ra. Lewis, and went to Ohio; IX. Sybbel, b. Aug. 8, 1747, d. 

young; X. Dorcas, b. Aug. 2, 1751, m. Erastus Bradley of New 
Haven. 

7. Ebenezer, son of Daniel, (2.) bad, I. Lydia, b. April 9, 1741, m. 
Abel Beecher of New Haven, Aug. 31, 1764 ; II. Asa, b. Aug. 7, 1743 ; 

HI. , b. 1745, d. 1745; IV. Mary, b. June 14, 1749, d. March 22, 

1760. 

8. Samuel, son of Doct. Richard, (3,) m. Mary, dau. of John Bron- 
son, May 9, 1722. Administration was granted on his estate March 22, 
1727-8, and only one ch. is meniioned. The wid. m. John Barnes. 
Ch., as recorded, Samuel, b. Dec. 22, 1723 ; Lucy, b. Oct. 12, 1725. 

9. Timothy, son of Richard, (3,) m. 1st, Mary, dau. of Jonathan 
Baldwin, Dec. 18, 1735, and 2d, Hannah Winters, in 1767. He re- 
moved to Stratford. Ch., recorded in Waterbury ; I. Sybbel, b. March 
23, 1737 ; IL John, b. Feb. 22, 1739, m. Phebe Curtiss of Wallingford, 
Nov. 7, 1770; III. Lois, b. Feb. 6, 1743 ; IV. Mary, b. May 8, 1745 ; 
V. Mark, b. March 27, 1748 ; VI. Ruth, b. May 17, 1750 ; VH. and 
VIH. Timothy and Lucy, b. June 8, 1753. 

10. Preserved, son of Daniel, (4,) m. Sarah Gould of New Milford, 
April 8, 1764, who d. in 1780. He m. 2d, Lydia Wei ton, Dec. 9, 1781, 
and d. Oct. 23, 1803. Ch. : L Hannah, b. Nov. 10, 1766, m. Joseph 
Bronson; II. Levinia, b. July 21, 1767, m. Doct. Joseph, son of Doct. 
Timothy Porter, and d. Nov. 18, 1848 ; IH. Isaac, b. July 27, 1770, d. 
June 25, 1772 ; IV. Isaac, b. March 27, 1774, m. Amarilla, dau. of Joel 
Hickox, still living, and has a son, Preserved Hickox, in Newark, N. J. 
Y.Jesse, b. Oct. 31, 1777. 

11. Doct. Timothy, son of Daniel, (4,) m. Margaret, dau. of Gideon 
Skinner of Bolton, Conn. She was b. Sept. 27, 1739, and d. April 12, 
1813. Iled. Jan. 24, 1792. Ch. : L Daniel, b. Sept. 23, 1768; H. 
Sylvia C, b. Feb. 24, 1771, m. 1st, John King of BIoomfieId,N. Y., 2d, 
NathanRoseof Avon, N.Y., and d. Feb. 14, 1813; IH. Dr. Joseph, b. Sept. 



APPENDIX. 



521 



8, 1772, in. Levinia, dau. of Preserved Porter — no ch. ; IV. Olive, b. 
July 26, 1775, m. Moses Hall and d. May 30, 1845. He d. Jan. 29, 
1857 ; V. Anna, b. April 5, 1777, m. Richard F. Welton, Dec. 16, 1804; 
VI. Chauncey, b. April 24, 1779 ; VII. Timothy Hopkins, b. Nov. 28, 
1785. 

12. James, son of James, (5,) ra, Lucy, dau. of Josiah Bronson, Nov. 
9,1762. She d, Oct. 14, 1776, and he m. Mary Gambel, April 23, 
1778. lied. Nov. 10, 1822. Ch. : I.Jesse, b. June 25, 1763; II. 
Dorcas, b. June 11, 1766, m. Ward Peck, Jan. 22, 1784, and d. May 
11,1847; III. A son, b. Nov. 22, 1768, d. same day; IV. J«mes, b. 
Aug. 3, 1772; V. Mary, b. Aug. 2, 1779; VI. Keuben, b. Oct. 24, 
1780; VII. Melinda, b. April 26, 1783; VIII. Clarinda, b. Oct. 15, 
1789 ; IX. Josiah, Aug. 30, 1792; X. Samuel, b. Dec. 28, 1793. 

13. David, son of James, (5,) m. Esther, dau. of Dea. Timothy Hop- 
kins, Dec. 7, 1775. lie d. April 4, 1826, and his wid. d. Sept. 27, 1831. 
Ch.: I. Silas, b. Oct. 21, 1776 ; II. William, b. March 18, 1782 ; III. 
David, b. June 22, 1783. 

14. AsHBEL, son of Thos. (6,) m. Hannah, dau. of John Morris of 
Stratford, Nov. 24, 1762. Ch. : I. Sybbel, b. Aug. 21, 1764 ; II. Ash- 
bel, b. Nov. 16, 1766; III. Elias,(?) b. Jan. 16, 1769 ; IV. Hannah, (?) 
b. Jan. 8, 1771. 

15. Thomas, son of Thos. (6,) m. Mehitable, dau. of Daniel Hine of 
New Milford, Dec. 12, 1758. She d. June 1, 1837, aged 98. Ch.: I. 
Sybbel, b. Nov. 10, 1759 ; II. Rebecca, b. June 5, 1761, m. Jared By- 
ington ; III. Truman, d. Sept. 8, 1763 ; IV. Ethel, b. 1765, and d. March 
2, 1797. 

16. Col. Phineas, son of Thos. (6,) m. Esther, dau. of Thos, Clark, 
July 12, 1770. She d. March 18, 1772, and he m. 2d, wid. Melliscent, 
Lewis, dau. of Jonathan Baldwin, Dec. 23, 1778. He d. March 9, 1804. 
Ch.: L Esther, b. March 13, 1772, m. Levi Beardsley, Jan. 5, 1789, and 
d. Sept. 5, 1808 ; II. " Orissana," b. Nov. 1, 1779, d. July 8, 1781 ; IIL 
Sally, b. Feb. 20, 1782 ; IV. Ansel, b. Aug. 2, 1784 ; V. Orlando, b. 
May 8, 1787 ; VL Betsey, b. April 14, 1790, m. Zenas Cook, and d. 
Oct. 12, 1857. 

17. Asa, son of Ebenezer, (7,) m. Deborah Fuller, Oct. 22, 1765. 
Ch. : L Asa, b. June 6, 1767 ; H. Climena, b. Jan. 8, 1770. 

18. Samuel, son of Samuel, (8j) m. Mary, dau. of Stephen Upson, 
Dec. 9, 1747, and d. Jan. 8, 1 793. His wife d. March 23, 1780. Ch. : 
L Ebenezer, b. Jan. 24, 1750 ; IL Jemima, b. Nov. 13, 1752 ; III. Sam- 
uel, b. Oct. 7, 1755. 

19. Isaac, son of Doct. Preserved, (10,) m. Amarilla, dau. of Joel 



522 HISTORY OF WATEKBUKY. 

Hickox, Nov. 13, 1799. Ch. : I.Sarah Gould, b. April 6, 1800; II. 
Preserved H., b. Sept. 9, 1803, m. Caroline Keene, and resides at New- 
ark, N. J. — DO ch. 

20. Doct. Jesse, son of Preserved, (10,) in. Comfort, dau. of Chaun- 
cey Camp, June 6, 1808. She was b. March 1, 1V86, and d. Aug. 10, 
1855. Ch.: I. Denman Camp, b. May 22, 1810; II. Sally Ann, b. 
May 6, 1812, m. Lewis Ilotchkiss, who d. — no ch, ; III. Adelia, b. 
April 15, 1815, m. David S. Law andd. March 13, 1857 ; IV. Preserved 
G., b. Jan. 18, 1822. 

21. Daniel, son of Timothy, (11,) ra. Ana, dau. of Ingham, 

and grand-dau. of Israel Clark of Southington, June 9, 1789. She was 
b. Oct. 17, 1770, and d. March 26, 1831. Ch. : L Horace, b. Sept. 
30, 1790; IL Timothy, b.Jan. 30, 1792 ; IIL Elias, b. May 14, 1795; 
IV. Alma Anna, b. April 12, 1800, m. William Orton, Jan. 1822, and 
d. Feb. 25, 1823, leaving a dau. Caroline ; V. Daniel, b. May 20, 1805, 
— a physician, became insane in 1845; VI. Joseph, b. July 11, 1807, 
d. Jan. 5, 1812. 

22. CHAUNCEr, son of Timothy, (11,) m. Sylvia Brockway, at Scho- 
dack, near Albany, N, Y. He d. at Pittsford, in that State, May 17, 
1830. Ch. : I. Chauncey, d. in childhood ; II. Sylvia Rose, b. Jan. 19, 
1807, m. Lieut. Richardson, of the U. S, Army; III. Olive Ann, b. 
March 9, 1809, m. R. S. Williams of Avon, N. Y. ; IV. Caroline, b. 
June 7, 1811, m. George W. Chyler, a lawyer of Palmyra, N. Y. ; V. 
Margaret, b. May 9, 1814, m. Ephraim Goss, a lawyer at Pittsford, N. 
Y.; VL Jane Maria, b. Nov. 21, 18 IG; VIL Chauncey H., b. Aug. 
11, 1818; VIIL Mary E., b. May 18, 1821 ; IX. Sarah L., b. Jan. 25, 
1824 ; X. James H., b. Nov. 5, 1826. 

23. Hon. Timothy IL, son of Doct. Timothy, (11.) m. Lucy, dau. of 
Judge Moore of Angelica, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1811, and d. at Olean, N. Y., 
Dec. 1845. Ch. : L Willard, b. Aug. 7, 1812, d. July 26, 1819; IL 
Joseph Hopkins, b. April 11, 1818; IIL Olive M., b. July 27, 1820, d. 
Feb. 26, 1821 ; IV. Harriet M., b. June 7, 1822 ; V. John, b. April 25, 
1824; VL Lucy, b. Aug. 6, 1826, d. Feb. 8, 1831 ; VIL Timothy, b. 
April 20, 1828, d. April 6, 1829 ; VIIL Willard, b. June 8, 1830 ; IX. 
Edward, b. March 26, 1832 ; X. George, b. Feb. 25, 1834; XL James, 
b. Sept. 16, 1835; XIL Andrew, b. Aug. 11, 1839, d. Oct. 6, 1841. 

24. Silas, son of David, (13,) m. Polly, dau. of Benjamin Strong of 
South bury, Dec. 21, 1802. Ch. : L Edwin, b. Feb. 25, 1804 ; II. Es- 
ther, b. June 8, 1806. 

25. Truman, son of Thos., (15,) m. Sarah, dau. of Jonathan Thomp- 
son of New Haven, Jan. 1, 1784. Ch. : L Margaret, b.Nov. 23, 1784 ; 



APPENDIX. 



523 



II. Minerva, b. Oct. 24, 1788; III. Julius, b. Aug. 26, lT90 ; IV. 
Thomas, b. Jan. Y, 1793; V. Alma, b. Feb. 9, 1795; VI. Sally, b. 
Sept. 25, 1801; VII. Myretta, b. June 24, 1803 ; VIIL Hector, b. 
Aug. 11, 1805; IX. William, b. Oct. 20, 1807, d. March 30, 1809. 

26. Ansel, son of Phineas, (16,) m. Lucy, dau. of Ward Peek* 
April, 1806,— was an officer in the war of 1812, and d. Oct. 9, 1814. 
Ch. : Phineas, d. aged 10 months: II. Melliscent, d. aged about 7 ; 

III. Ansel Charles, b. Nov. 16, 1811, m. Ruth Ann, dau. of Cyrus 
Sherman of Woodbury, — has had two ch. 

27. Orlando, son of Phineas, (16,) m. Olive, dau. of Samuel Frost, 
and went to Pa., and d. at Ilarrisburg, Jan. 1, 1836. Ch. : I. Eliza 

M.,d. young; II. Mary M., b. July 2, 1816, m. 1st, Bariis, 2d, 

Doct. Bradford,— is living near Wilksbarre, Pa.; III. George Phin- 
eas, m. Julia Worthing, of Kingston, is a Methodist preacher. 

28. Ebenezer, son of Samuel, (18,) m. Sarah, dau. of Ephraim Bee- 
be, Aug. 31,1774. Ch.: I. Daniel, b. Aug. -26, 1775; 11. Asa, b. 
Jan. 26, 1778; III. Samuel E., b. July 20, 1782; IV. Ezra, b. May 
27, 1785 ; V. Olive, b. Feb. 23, 1787, d. March 13, 1787; VI. Aaron, 
b. Feb. 23, 1790, d. same day. 

29. Samuel, son of Samuel, (18,) m. Sybbel, dau. of Obadiah Mon- 
son, Jan. 28, 1778. Shed. Feb. 5, 1794, and he m. Lucy, dau. of 
Dea. Andrew Bronson, Nov. 22, 1795. Ch. : I. Lucy, b. Nov. 14, 
1778; IL Eunice, b. March 23, 1780, d. May 1, 1780; III. Stephen, 
b. Sept. 22, 1781 ; IV. Obadiah, b. July 24, 1783; V. Azubah, b. July 
6,1785; VL Marshal, b. June 4, 1768; VIL Samuel M., b. May, 
1790; VIIL Shelden,b. March 31, 1792; IX. L. Bronson, b. Sept. 8, 
1799; X. Leonard, b. July 23, 1802. 

30. Horace, son of Daniel, (21,) m. Hannah, dau. of Ebenezer Fris- 
bie. May 20, 1811. She d. April 11, 1844, and he m. Esther M. W. 
Hull, Nov. 23, 184.'!. Ch. : I. Horace Clark, b. March 9, 1812, d. Aug. 
11, 1831 ; n. Hannah C, b. Sept. 1, 1813, m. Christopher L. Ward, of 
Towanda, Pa., has a son Henry; III. Hamlet C, b. July 11, 1815, d. 
Aug. 9, 1834; IV. Hobart C, b. Feb. 2, 1819, m. Jerusha, dau. of 
Benj. Bronson, has two ch. ; V. Henry C, b. April 20,1825, m. Eliza 
E., dau. of Nathan N. Betts, of Towanda, Pa., is a physician ; VI. Mar- 
garet A., b. July 27, 1846; VIL Sarah E., b. Aug. 19, 1849. 

31. Timothy, son of Daniel, (21,) m. Clara, dau. of Ebenezer Frisbie. 
She d. Nov. 18, 1821, and he m. Polly Ann Todd, Dec. 20, 1824. Ch. : 
L Joseph, b. June 5, 1812; IL Mary Ann, b. Aug. 21, 1815; IIL 
Jane E., b. Feb. 1818 ; IV. Timothy H., b. Feb. 16, 1826 ; V. Nathan 



524 HISTOEY OF WATEKBURT. 

T., b. Dec. 9, 1828 ; YI. Thomas, b. Feb. Y, 1831 ; Vll. David G., b. 
March 8, 1833 ; VIII. Samuel M., b. May 17, 1835. 

32. Elias, son of Daniel, (21,) m. Alma Tyler, Jan. 22, 1817,— has 
one chile), James, b. March 26, 1818. 

PRICUARD. 

1. Roger Prichard came from Springfield, Mass., to Milford, Conn., 
previous to Dec. 18, 1653, at which date he married Elizabeth Slough 
ot Milford. He had sons, Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph was b. Oct. 

2, 1054, Benjamin Jan. 31, 1657. The last m. , Nov. 14, 

1683. 

2. Benjamin and James Prichard removed from Milford to Water- 
bury about 1733. Roger Prichard, also from Milford, settled at Water- 
bury in 1738. They were all married and had children previous to 
their settlement in Waterbury. 

3. Benjamin, (2,) m. 1st, Mary Andrews of Milford, Jan. 20, 1712-13, 
and 2d, Hannah Marks, July 4, 1733. He d. in 1760, leaving ch. : I. 
John ; II. Benjamin ; III. Nathaniel ; IV. Elnathan ; V. Desire, b. July 
7, 1734 ; VI. Jonathan, b. Oct. 19, 1739 ; VII. Esther. 

4. James, (2,) m. Elizabeth Johnson of Stratford, Dec. 25, 1721, and 
d. 1749. Ch. : I. James, b. Jan. 31,1722-3; II. George, b. Oct. 5, 
1724; III. Elizabeth, b. March 12, 1726 ; IV. Isaac, b. Sept. 20, 1729 ; 
y. John, b. July 25, 1734, d. 1749 ; VI. David, b. April 7, 1737 ; VII. 
Anna, b. April 4, 1740. 

5. Roger, (2,) m. 1st, Hannah Northrup of Milford, March 8, 

1715-16, and 2d, Sarah , and d. May 18, 1760. Ch. : I. Roger; 

11, Sarah, m. Joseph Fenn, Jr. ; HI. Ann, m. Stephen Bradley ; IV. 

Phebe, b. April 16, 1731, m. Warner; V. Abigail, b. March 15, 

1733, d. before 1760; VI. Sibella, b. June, 1736, d. young; VII. 
Abraham, b. Oct. 12, 1737 ; YIII. Amos, b. Aug. 27, 1739 ; IX. Elihu, 
b. Oct. 27, 1741. 

6. James, son of James, (4,) m. Abigail, dau. of Ebenezer Hickox, 
Aug. 7, 1740, and had, I. Jabez, b. Feb. 18, 1741 ; II. Jerahiah, b. April 
13, 1743 ; III. Elisha, b. Oct. 1, 1745, d. 1749; IV. "James the Less," 
b. April, 1748, d. 1749; V. James, b. June 4, 1750; VI. Abigail, b. 
May 14, 1752. 

7. George, son of James, (4,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Abraham Hotch- 
kii^s of New Haven, Feb. 8, 1744-5, and d. Oct. 21, 1820. His wife d. 
Feb. 17, 1802. Ch. : I. Chloe, b. Sept. 30, 1745 ; II. George, b. April 
4, 1747 ; HI. Patience, b. Dec. 10, 1748, d. 1749; IV. Patience, b. 
May 8,1751; V. John, b. April 3, 1753; VI. Isaiah, b. March 30, 



APPENDIX. 



525 



1V55; VII. Didymus, b. April 27, 1757, d. 1758; VIII. Hannah, b. 
Dec. 5, 1758; IX. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 7, 1762; X. Rebecca, b. Sept. 16, 
1765. 

8. Isaac, son of James, (4,) m. Lois, dau. of Isaac Bronson, Oct. 4, 
1758. Ch: I. Jared,b.May 15, 1760 ; II. Lidda, b. April 24, 1763, and 
others. 

9. David, son of James, (4,) m. Ruth Smith. Ch. : I. Archibald, b. 
June 25, 1758; II. Ruth; III. Miriam; IV. Philo ; V. Sylvia; VI. 
Molle, d. 1772; VII. MoUe ; VIII. David; IX. Damon, b. Nov. 5, 
1777; X. Sally, b. June 28, 1780. 

10. Roger, son of Roger, (5,) m, Ann Buggbe of Derby, Feb. 16, 
1742-3. Ch.: I. Philenor, b. May 18, 1744; II. Sybel, b. Oct. 25, 
1745, d. 1749; III. Elihu,b. Sept. 19, 1747, d. 1749; IV. Elihu, b. July 
19, 1749, d. 1751 ; V. Ann, b. April 24, 1752 ; VI. Thomas, b. Nov. 29, 
1754; VII. Eliphalet, b. Dec. 2, 1756 ; VIII. Elihu, b. May 23, 1759. 

11. Abraham, son of Roger, (5,) m. Abigail, dau. of Thomas Smith 
of Derby, March 13, 1766, and had, I. Reuben, b. Sept. 30, 1766 ; II. 
Abig.iil, b. Jan. 28, 1768; III. Sybel, b. Oct. 21, 1769, d. Nov. 1769 ; 
IV. John Smith, b. Oct. 27, 1770, d. 1773; V. Sarah, b. 1773; VI. 
-: ; VI. Phebe, b. March 20, 1778. 

12. Amos, son of Roger, (5,) ra. Lydia Blakeslee, May 26, 1768, who 
d. 1771, and he m. 2a, wid. Mary Adams, Aug. 20, 1777. Cb. : I. 
Lydia, b. April 12, 1769 ; IL Amos, b. Oct. 22, 1770 ; IIL Roger, b. 
May 17, 1777, d. 1779 ; IV. Sabra, b. Jan. 6, 1780; V. Roger, b. May 
7, 1782; YL Orra, b. Oct. 26, 1783; VIL Elias, b. Jan. 28, 1786; 
Vm. Aaron, b. Dec. 1, 1788 ; IX. Ruth, b. Oct. 17, 1791. 

13. George, son of George. (7,) m. Hannah Williams, Dec. 24, 
1767. Ch. : L Didimus, b. May 28, 1769 ; IL Jane, b. Sept. 23, 1771 ; 
IIL Chloe, b. Oct. 23, 1773 ; IV. Ezra, b. Oct. 10, 1775. 

14. Archibald, son of David, (9,) m. Sybil, dau. of John Smith of 
Canterbury, Oct. 28, 1782, Ch. : L Julius C, b.June 15, 1784, d. 1788; 
IL '-Soffey," b. Aug. 28, 1786 ; IIL Adelia. 

15. Philo, son of David, (9,) m. Sabra Johnson, Dec, 17, 1783. Ch. : 
L"Suky," b. July 26, 1784. 

16. David, son of David, (9,) m, Anne, dau. of Benjamin Hitchcock, 
Nov. 9, 1797. Ch. : L Minerva, b. June 22, 1798; IL William, b, 
March 20, 1800; IIL Julius Smith, b, Feb. 14, 1802 ; IV, Elizur E„ b. 
Sept, 19, 1804 ; V. Anna, b. Sept, 9, 1806 ; VL Sally IL, b, Aug. 29, 
1808; VIL Dr, David, b. Oct. 24, 1810; VIIL Samuel H., b. May 
27, 1813 ; IX, Charlotte L., b. June 27, 1816. 

17. JoHX, sou of Abraham, (11,) m. Anna, dau. of Eben Ilotcbkiss, 



52G HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

March 25, 1806. Ch.: I. Eben, b. Nov. 6, 1806, II. Beza, b. April 
22, 1808. 

I have not found the connection of the following with the pre- 
ceding. 

JosKPH Prichard, sou of of Mllford, m. Rebecca, dau. of James 

Smith of Waterbury, Aug. 2, 1761, and d. at Saybrook, Oct. 23, 1775, 
aged 35. Ch. : I. Sarah, b. Sept. 5, 1763 ; II. Mary, b. Aug. 19, 1765 ; 
III. Tliomas Gaius, b. Oct. 3, 1768 ; IV. William, b. June 4, 1771 ; V. 
Elizabeth, b. April 14, 1774. 

RICHARDSON. 

1. Thomas Richardson or Richason had ch., Thomas, Mary, 
Sarah, John, Israel, Rebecca, Ruth, Johannah, Nathaniel, Ebenezer. 
(See p. 170.) 

2. John, son of Thomas, (1,) had ch., I. Ruth, b. Feb. 10, 1701-2, ra. 
1st, John Hill, 2d, Moses Doolittle; II. and III. b. Sept. 4, 1703, and 
d. the same month ; IV. Elizabeth, b. Oct. 5, 1704, m. Nathaniel Arnold, 
Jr. ; V. Mary, b. Feb. 14, 1707, m. Nathan Prindle ; VI. Sarah, b. April 
28, 1710, m. Samuel Weed; VII. John, b. March 5, 1713, d. before 
Nov. 28, 1749. His estate was distributed to his four sisters or their 
children. 

3. Israel, son of Thomas, (1,) had ch.: I. Mary, b. April 16, 1699, 
d. Dec. 5, 1712; II. Hannah, b. April 2, 1705, m. John Scott; III. 
Joseph, b. June 11, 1708; IV. Israel, b. Aug. 28, 1711, lived in Sun- 
derland, Mass. 

4. Ebenezer, son of Thomas, (1,) had ch. : I. Phebe, b. April 22, 
1716, d. Jan. 9, 1717 ; II. Phebe, b. Dec. 15, I7l7; HI. Thomas, b. 
Dec. 7, 1720; IV. Joseph, b. Sept. 24, 1725, d. young; V. Nathaniel, 
b. April 8, 1729; VI. Sarah, b. Dec. 23, 1731. 

5. Thomas, son of Ebenezer, (4,) m. Abigail Way, April 8, 1756, 
who d. Jan. 21, 1775, and he m. 2d, Eunice, wid. of John Ilickox, 
April 15, 1776. Ch. : I. Sarah, b. June 8, 1757, d. Jan. 13, 1772 ; II. 
Irene, b. March 15, 1759, d. July 6, 1774; III. Chloe, b. July 26, 
1761, d. Feb. 25, 1776; IV. Israel, b. Sept. 25, 1764, d. March 29, 
1772; V. Abigail, b. May 24, 1769, d. April 8, 1772; VI. Anner, b. 
March 13, 1771, d. April 20, 1772; VII. Thomas, b. June 12, 1777 ; 
VIII. Margaret, b. Aug. 14, 1779, m. John Eeecher ; IX. Eunice, b. 
Dec. 21, 1781, m. Samuel Porter. 

6. Nathaniel, son of Ebenezer, (4,) m. Phebe, dau. of John Bron- 
son, April I, 1752, and d. Oct. 31, 1792. His wife d. April 6, 1811, 
Ch. : I. Joseph, b. March 28, 1754, d. June 16, 1773; II. Tamer, b. 



APPENDIX. 527 

Sept. 13, lYo8, m. Stephen Hotchkiss; III. Ruth, b. Dec. 15, 1Y61, in. 
Ashbel Osborne, June 9, 1785 ; IV. Phebe, b. June 17, 1765, m. Joseph 
Bartholomew, d. Oct. 1800; V. Ebenezer,b. Sept. 3, 1769, m. Mehitable 
Clark, lived in Middlebury, had 14 ch. and d. Feb. 1826; VI. Hannah, 
b. May 22, 1772, d, July 20, 1773; VII. Nathaniel, b. Oct. 28, 1774 ; 
VIII. Hannah, b. Oct. 18, 1779, m. Reuben Upson. 

7. Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel, (6,) ra. Comfort Stone, April, 1794. 
She d. March 29,1756. Ch. : I.Maria, b. Jan. 6, 1795, m. Garry 
Bronson ; II. Nancy, b. March 8, 1797, m. Merritt Piatt, May,1815. He 
d. Sept. 1815, and she m. Leonard Bronson, April 14, 1819 ; HI. Julia, b. 
1799, d. 1800 ; IV. John Bronson, b. Nov. 1804, graduated at Dartmouth 
College, is a clergyman at Pittsford, N. Y. He m. Maria, dau. of Philo 
Bronson, in 1832, who d. in 1834, and he m. in 1836, Susan A., sister 
of his first wife, who d. April, 1856 ; V. Nathaniel S., b. 1810, gradua- 
ted at Y. C, is an Episcopal clergyman, has been settled at Watertown 
and Derby, and is now editor of the Church Review. He m. Lydia, 
dau. of James Murdock, D.D., of New Haven ; VI. Merritt P., b. 1816, 
d. the same year; VII. Samuel S., b. Dec. 1817, d. at Harrisburg, 
Pa., Sept. 4, 1842, while a member of Union College. 

SCOTT. 

1. Edmund Scott, of Farraington and Waterbury, had ch., Joseph, 
Edmund, Samuel, Jonathan, George, David, Robert, Elizabeth and Han- 
nah. (Seep. 181.) 

2. Edmund, son of Edmund, (1,) had Sarah, Samuel, Elizabeth, Han- 
nah, Edmund, John, Jonathan. (See p. 183.) 

3. Jonathan, son of Edmund, (1,) had Jonathan, John, Martha, Ger- 
shom, Eleazer, Daniel. (See p. 184.) 

4. George, son of Edmund, (1,) had, I. Obadiah, b. April 5, 1692; 
H. George, b. March 20, 1694, d. May 9, 1725, unm.; II. William, b. 
March 3, 1696 ; IV. Elizabeth, b. April 4, 1698, m. Gamaliel Terrel 
and went to New Milford ; V. Zebulon, b. Jan. 10, 1700, d. 1701 ; VI. 
Samuel, b. April 26, 1702 ; VII. Edmund, b. Sept. 4, 1704 ; VIII. Ben- 
jamin, b. April 30, 1707, d. Dec. 1725 ; IX. Ephraim, b. June 16, 1710, 
d. Feb. 27, 1744-5. 

5. David, son of Edmund, (1,) had, I. Hannah, b. March 21, 1698-9; 
II. Hester, b. Aug. 1700; HI. David, b. May 12, 1701 ; IV. Rnth, b. 
Sept. 29, 1704, m. Jonathan Kelsey ; V. and VI. Martha and Mary, b. 
Jan. 1707; Martha, d. April, 1707; VII. Elizabeth, b. May 7, l709,m. 
Samuel Judd; VIII. Stephen, b. March 12, 1711 ; IX. Obadiah, b. Dec. 
4, 1714. 



528 HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 

6. Samuel, son of Edmund, (2,) in. Mary, dau. of John Richards, 
Jan. 13, 1725, and d. April 3, 1768. Ch. : I.Gideon, b. Sept. 22, 1725; 
II. Lois, b. March 20, 1727 ; III. Abraham, b. April 26, 1729, d. Jan. 8, 
1730-1 ; IV. Isaac, b. April 26, 1729; V. Abraham, b. Oct. 18, 1731, 
d. Nov. 8, 1732 ; VI. Mary, b. Sept. 7, 1733 ; VII. Sarah, b. April 4, 
1735, m. Edmund Scott; VIII. Samuel, b. Feb. 14, 1738, m. Damaras 
Lewis; IX. Jemima, b. Nov. 23, 1740, m. Jeremiah Peck, Jr. 

7. Edmund, son of Edmund, (2,) m. Martha, dau. of John Andruss, 
Aug. 12, 1730, and d. March 23, 1733. Ilis wid. m. Ebenezer Warner, 
April 18, 1734. Ch. : L Jemima, b. May 2, 1731, d. May 16, 1735 : IL 
Comfort, b. July 22, 1733, m. Obadiah Scott. 

8. John, son of Edmund, (2,) m. Eunice, dau. of Thos. GriflBn of Sims- 
bury, Oct. 29, 1730. He d. March 14, 1756. Ch. : I. Amos, b. Feb. 
19, 1732 ; IL John, b. Jan. 30, 1734, d. in 1766, no issue; IIL Edmund, 
b. Jan. 9, 173G, m. Sarah Scott, and d. about 1760, no issue; IV. Abra- 
ham, b. March 18, 1739, "killed with thunder," April 7, 1750; V. Eu- 
nice, b. Jan. 4, 1741, d. Aug. 12, 1759 ; VL Abigail, b. Oct. 5, 1743, m. 

Moses; VIL Jonathan, b. Oct. 1745, d. 1749; VIIL Reuben, b. 

Aug. 15, 1747; IX. Abraham, b. May 11, 1750, d. March, 1753; X. 
Abel, b. Nov. 19, 1756, m. Anne Perkins of New Haven, Jan. 30, 1776 
— had ch. 

9. Jonathan, son of Jonathan, (3,) m. Mary, dau. of Joseph Hurlbut 
of Woodbury, July 14, 1725. She d. May, 1727, and he m. 2d, Re- 
becca, dau. of Samuel Frost of Branford, July 29, 1729. He d. May 
16, 1745. Ch.: L John, b. May 6, 1726; IL Abel, b. Aug. 3, 1730; 
IIL Thankful, b. May 10, 1732; IV. Phebe, b. May 24, 1734; V. Re- 
becca, b. Oct. 3, 1736 ; VI. Rachel, b. Nov. 3, 1739 ; VII. Eben, b. 
July, 1747. 

10. Gershom, son of Jonathan, (3,) m. Mary, dau. of Jonathan Fen- 
ton of Fairfield, Nov. 17, 1728, and d. June 24, 1780. Ch.: L W^ait, 
b. Aug. 17, 1729; IL Hannah, b. Sept. 9, 1731, m. E. Scott; IIL 
Sarah, b. Sept. 1735; IV. Mary, b. May 17, 1739; V. and VI. Gershom 
and Ann, b. June 9, 1744. Gershom d. June 29, 1778. Ann m. Amos 
Hotchkiss. 

11. Doct. Daniel, son of Jonathan, (3,) m. Hannah, dau. of David 
W^ay, and d. April 2, 1762. Ch,: L Esther, b. May 23, 1750 ; 11. Jona- 
than, b. Sept. 29, 1751; IIL John, b. April 30, 1753; IV. Martha, b. 
Jan. 19, 1755, d. Aug. 31, 1759; V. Eleazer, b. May 24,1756; VI. 
Elizabeth, b. Sept. 21, 1757, d. Sept. 15, 1759; VII. Hannah, b. Jan. 
16, 1759 ; VIIL Daniel, b. Oct. 1, 1760. 

12. Obadiah, son of George, (4,) m. Hannah, dau. of Ezekiel Buck of 



©51 



© 




APPENDIX. 



529 



Wethersfield, Oct. 10, 1716, and d. in 1735. His wife d. June 12, 

1749. Ch. : I. , b. June 20, 1717 ; 11. Zebulon, b. June 16, 1 718 ; 

III. Mary, b. 1720, d. Sept. 1722; IV. Enoch, b. Oct. 1722; V. 
Comfort, b. Jan. 31, 1723; VI. George, b. Nov. 10, 1725; VII. Oba- 
diah, b. Jan. 6, 1727 ; VIII. Ezekiel, b. Sept. 20, 1730. 

13. 'William, son of George, (4,) m. Johannali, dau. of Thos. Judd of 
Hartford, Nov. 30, 1727. She d. Jan. 25, 1771. Cb. : I. Benjamin, b. 
Sept. 0, 1728; II. Timothy, b. April 21, 1731; III. Anne, b. Jan. 11, 
1734,' d. Oct. 30,1749; iv. Rachel, b. Sept. 27, 1736, d. April 2, 
1766 ; V. Patience, b. Nov. 1748, 1740. 

14. Samuel, son of George, (4,) m. Presilla, dau. of John Hull of 
Derby, Sept. 26, 1727. Shed. Sept. 23, 1735, and he m. 2d, wid. 
Lois Striclin, May 4, 1756, who d. Nov. 29, 1762. He ra. 3d, Eunice 
Ashley of Hartford, March 17, 1763, and d. Sept. 15, 1790. Ch. : I. 
Sybel, b. July 6, 1730, d. March 1, 1798, unra.; II. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 
27, 1732, d. Sept. 1, 1814, unm. ; III. Ebenezer, b. April 18, 1735, m. 
M:iry V^eed ; IV. Eunice, b. June 11,1738; V. Samuel, b. April 10, 
1744, d. Sept. 20, 1749; VI. Ashley, b. June 17, 1764. 

15. Edmund, son of George, (4,) m. Martha, dau. of Robert Royce of 
Wallingford, March 26, 1730. Ch. : I. Mary, b. March 23, 1731 ; II. 
Robert, b. Aug. 3, 1733, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Gamaliel Terrel, Dec. 29, 
1762 ; III. Noah, b. Jan. 24, 1736, d. May 9, 1737; IV. Ebenezer, b. 
March 23, 1738, d. same day ; V. iVlartha, b. May 2, 1739 ; VI. Abi- 
gail, b. July 3, 1742; VII. Comfort, b. April 24, 1745; VUI. Noah, 
b. April 4, 1748 ; IX. Lydia, b. March 23, 1751. 

16. David, son of David, (5,) m. Hannah, dau. of William Hickox, 
Jan. 25, 1735. Ch. : I. Zadock, b. Oct. 15, 1733, d. 1746 ; II. Nathan, 
b. Aug. 23, 1735, d. 1748; HI. David, b. June 22, 1738; IV. Pa- 
tience, d. May 9, 1747 ; V. Hannah, d. June 29, 1754 ; VI. Submit, b. 
Dec. 22, 1746 ; VII. Sarah, b. June 8, 1749, m. Wait Smith. 

17. Spephen, son of David, (5,) m. Rebecca, dau. of John Wolsey of 
Jamaica, L. I., April 9, 1734, and d. March 25, 1744. Ch. : I. Sarah, 
b. Feb. 14, 1736, d. Sept. 11, 1749; H. Stephen, b. Sept. 14, 1738; HI. 
Wolsey, b. April 13, 1741, d. in Watertown, Dec. 12, 1794. 

18. Obadiah, son of David, (5,) m. Mary, dau. of John Andruss, 
May 20, 1733. Ch. : I. and II. twins, d. young; HI. Eliphas, b. Jan. 
3, 1735 ; IV. Obadiah, b. April 12, 1737; V. Jesse, b. May 30, 1739; 
VI. Barnabas, b. March 7, 1741 ; VII. Abigail, b. July 3, 1746 ; VIII. 
Margaret, b. July 30, 1748; IX. Mary, b. Sept. 14, 1750; X. Elizabeth, 
b. Feb. 15, 1753 ; XI. Ruth, b. Nov. 1756. 

19. GiDEOxV, son of Samuel, (6,) m. Phebe Barnes, April 15, 1755. 

34 



530 HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

She d. x\pril 25, 1760, and he m. H.innah, wid. of James Brown, Oct. 
4, 1762. She d. Sept. 12, 1766. Ch. : I. Lois, b. Oct. 17, 1756 ; 11. 
Caleb, b. July 11, 1758; III. Mnry, b. June 25, 1763 ; IV. Alathea, b. 
March 18, 1765. 

20. Isaac, son of Samuel, (6,) m. Anne, dau. of Ebenezer Frisbie of 
Sharon, Oot. 31, 1753. S!ie d. Dec. 3, 176G, and he m. Sarah Smith, 
March 4, 1767, who d. Feb. 12, 1783. Ch. : I.David, b. Jan. 2.5, 
1755,— drowned. May 10, 1773 ; II. Moses, b. Feb. 16, 1756, d. Dec. 
21,1773; III. Thaddeus, b. April 25,1757; IV. Leva, b. Sept. 27, 
1758, d. Jan. 15, 1775; V. Mesibah, b. Aug. 10, 1760, d. Sept. 23, 
1782 ; VI. Abner, b. May 10, 1762 ; VII. Wealthy, b. July 22, 1764 ; 
VIII. Abraham, b. Aug. 2, 1766. 

21. Amos, son of John, (8,) m. Dorca<, dau. of Ebenezer Warner, 
April 4, 1759. She d. May 14, 1763, and he m. 2d, Lois, wid. of Ezekiel 
Scott, Sept. 12, 1763. Ch. : I. Eunice, b. Feb. 23, 1760 ; IL Diana, b. 
March 14, 1762, d. March 12, 1763; IIL Amo.s, b. May 3, 1764; IV. 
John,b. April 4, 1766 ; V. Edmund, b. June 7, 1768 ; VL Lois, b. Dec. 31, 
1770; VII. D.rcas,b. Nov. 1, 1773, d. 1774; VIIL Levi, b. July 3,1775. 

22. Zkbulon, son of Obadiah, (12,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Samuel 
Warner, April 18, 1748, and d. May 12, 1798. His wife d. June 21, 
1798, aged 72. Ch. : L Simeon, b. March 1, 1750; IL Iluldah, b. 
Nov. 7, 1753, m. John Powers; III. Daniel, b. May 4, 1757, d. June 
10, 1762; IV. Justus, went to Wallingford, Vt., and had a large 
family. 

23. Enoch, son of Obadiah, (12,) m. Sarah, dau. of Lieut. Thos. Por- 
ter, May 14, 1750. Ch. : L Hannah, b. May 19, 1751 ; II. Eunice, b. 
Oct. 15, 1752; IIL Enoch, b. Oct. 6, 1754; IV. Sarah, b. Sept. 2, 
1757; V. Uri, b. Aug. 2, 1759; VL Prue, b. April 6, 1761 ; VIL Es- 
ther, b. Sept. 22, 1763; VIIL Mille, b. March 21, 1766; IX. Mark, 
b. 1758. 

24. Ezekiel, son of Obadiah, (12,) m. Lois, dau. of John Fenn, April 
13, 1758, and d. Jan. 20, 1759. Ch. : I. Ezekiel, b. Jan. 3, 1759. 

25. Obadiah, son of Obadiah, (12,) m. Comfort, dau. of Edmund 
Scott, April 8, 1751. She d. April, 1798. He d. Sept. 1810. Ch. : 
L Annis, b. April 2, 1753 ; IL Mercy, b. July 2, 1755 ; IIL Lydia, b. 
Nov. 28, 1757; IV. Martha, b. Jan. 29, 1761; V. Sarah, b. Sept. 23, 
1763, d. Oct. 30, 1765 ; VL Patience, b. June 21, 1766; VIL Edmund 
Andru^s, b. Oct. 17, 1771. 

26. Benjamin, son of William, (13,) m. Mary, dau. of Obadiah Rich- 
ards, Jan. 13, 1757. Ch. : L Hannah, b. May 12, 1758; IL Mary, b. 
Jan. 12, 1762 ; IIL Chloe, b. Feb. 18, 1767, m. Elijah Terrel. 



APPENDIX. 531 

21. Ashley, son of Samuel, (14,) m. Martha, dau. of Benjamin Jud- 
son of Stratford, April 25, 1787, and d. May 15, 1842. His vvid. d. 
Dec. 1848, aged 83. Ch.: I.Betsey, b. Dec. 29, 1787, m. James 
Street; II. "Catey," b. Jan. 15, 1793, m. Miles Morris, and d. July 8, 
1837 ; III. Lewis, b. Dec. 14, 1796, d. 1827 ; IV. Edmund, b. Ajjril 13, 
1799 ; V. Emma, b. June 28, 1801. 

28. Stephen, son of Stephen, (17.) m. Freelove, dau. of Amos Hick- 
ox, Nov. 30, 1758. Ch. : I. Freelove, b. May 9, 1759 ; II. Ttebecca, b. 
Aug. 20, 1761 ; HI. Stephen, b. April 23, 1763 ; IV. Uri, b. May 13, 
1765. 

29. Eliphas, son of Obadiah, (18,) m. Hannah, dau. of Gershom Scott, 
Feb. 14, 1757. Ch. : I. Nancy, b. Dec. 4, 1759 ; 11. Jesse, b. Sept. 6, 
1762; HI. Irene, b. Nov. 16, 1767 ; IV. JareJ, b. March 22, 1771. 

30. Obadiah, son of Obadiah, (18,) m. Hannah, dau. of Jolin How, 
March 10, 1755. Cli. : I. Ilmnah, b. Sept. 28, 1755 ; 11. Olive, b. Sept. 
23, 1757 ; III. Lucy, b. July 26, 1760 ; IV Jesse, b. May 2, 1763 ; V. 
David, b. June 22, 1765; VI. Rose, b. Nov. 6, 1768. 

31. Barnabas, son of Obadiah, (18,) m. Rebecca, dau. of Doct. 
Ephraim Warner, Nov. 15, 1764. She d. Sept. 22, 1773. Ch. : L 
Sabra, b. Jan. 14, 1766 ; II. Orpha, b. Nov. 10, 1767 ; IH. Margaret, b. 
Dec. 5, 1769, d. in infancy ; IV. Margaret, b. Nov. 5, 1772. 

32. Thaddeus, son of Isaac, (20,) m. Orange, dau. of Thos. Ham- 
mond, May 23, 1783. She d. March 21, 1826. Ch. : L Levi, b. Oct. 
27, 1782 ; H. Moses, b. Feb. 28, 1785 ; IH. Jacob, b. Feb. 20, 1786 ; 
IV. Anna, b. Feb. 1, 1788, d. June 22, 1802 ; V. Philo, b. Oct. 6, 1790 ; 
VL Mabel, b. July 8, 1792, d. Oct. 24, 1803 ; VIL Moses, b. April 14, 
1795; VIH. Thaddeus, b. Oct. 19, 1797, d. Oct. 29, 1797; IX. Tru- 
man, b. Nov. 4, 1798,. d. Oct. 19, 1803 ; X. Isaac, b. May 8, 1801 ; XL 
Bazaleel, b. May 1, 1803. 

33. Abner, son of Isaac, (20,) m.Aleathea, dau, of John Bradley of New 
Haven, Feb. 5, 1783, and d. March 13, 1812. Ch. : L Lucy, b. Aug. 
29, 1785 ; IL Clary, b. Feb. 14, 1788 ; IH. Eldad, b. April 25, 1791 ; 
IV. Deborah, b. Nov. 1, 1793; V. Alathea, b. April 2, 1796; VL 
Wealthy, b. Oct. 7, 1798; VIL Phebe, b. April 6, 1801, d. Oct. 4, 
1805 ; VIII. Phebe Elmira, b. Aug. 15, 1805 ; IX. Marcus, b. June 18, 
1807. 

34. Simeon, son of Zebulon, (22,) m. Lucy, dau. of Capt. Abraham 
Hickox, March 9, 1775, and d. Aug. 28, 1828. His wid. d. Feb. 19, 
1829. Ch.: L Jemima, b. Nov. 21, 1775, m. David Ilungerford, April 
2, 1804 ; H. Joel, b. May 15, 1777, m. Hannah, dau. of Michael Bron- 
son, Feb. 15, 1796; III. Prue, b. Oct. 4, 1778, d. Sept. 12, 1780 ; IV. 



532 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

Elizabeth, b. March 19, 1780; V. Daniel, b. March 7, 1782 ; VI. Mark, 
b. Sept. .30, 1783; VII. Titus, b. Sept. 7, 1785, ra. Rhoda, dau. of Na- 
thaniel Hall, Dec. 1808; VIII. Jesse, b. June 10, 1787, m. Susan, dau. 
of David Downs, Aug. 7, 1811 ; IX. Prudence, b. March 7, 1789; X. 
Linus W., b. March 27, 1791, m. Minerva, dau. of James Nichols, Feb. 
8, 1818. 

35. Uri, son of Enoch, (23,) m. Esther, dau. of Ahiel Roberts, Dec. 

26, Vi80. Ch. : I. Silas, b. July 22, 1781 ; II. Rusha, b. Aug. 7, 1783 ; 
III. Alpheus, b. Sept. 30, 1785. 

36. Mark, Titus and Jesse, sons of Simeon, (34,) went to Springfield, 
Pa. Mark has one son and one dau., Titus two sons and a dau., and 
Jcftse six sons. 

SCOVILL. 

1. Serg. John Scovill, son of John of Waterbury and Haddam, had 
ch., John, b. Jan. 1, 1694; Obadiah, b. April 23, 1697 ; Sarah, b. Oct. 
24, 1700; William, b. Sept. 7, 1703 ; Hannah, b. March 19, 1706-7 ; 
Edward, b. Feb. 10, 1710-1 J. 

2. Lieut. John, son of John, Jr., (1,) had ch.: I. Obadiah, b. Oct. 9, 
1725 ; II. Mary, b. March 31, 1727, m. Andrew Bronson ; IIL John, b. 
Nov. 24, 1729, d. young; IV. Asa, b. April 4, 1732 ; V. Hannah, b. Jan. 
20, 1734-5, m. Jabez Tuttle ; VL John, b. Oct. 27, 1738; VH. 
Stephen, b. Aug. 19, 1740; VIIL Timothy, b. June 27, 1742; IX. 
Annis, b. May 23, 1744; X. Annis, m. Nathaniel Selkrigg. 

3. Lieut. William, son of John, Jr., (1,) had, I. Anna, b. March 25, 
1731, m. Rev. Eleazer Prindle and d. in 1789; II. Rev. James, b. Jan. 

27, 1732-3 ; IIL Samuel, b. Nov. 4, 1735 ; IV. Abijah, b Dec. 27, 1738 ; 
V. William, b. Feb. 9, 1744-5; VI. Darius, b. May 15, 1746, m., had 
ch. and removed to the State of N. Y. with his family. His son Selah 
remained in Watertown and m.Sabrina Foote — had a son Hubert, who 
resides in Watertown and has ch. 

4. Edwakd, son of John, Jr., (1,) had ch., I. Sarah, b. Feb. 25, 1740- 
1 ; IL Edward, b. Feb. 5, 1744-5, m. Ruth Norton, Nov. 26, 1770, and 
d. March 21,1778. 

5. Obadiah, son of John, (2,) m. 1st, Hannah Hull of Norwalk, 
July 14, 1752, who d, Aug. 22, 1756, and he m. 2d, Hannah, dau. of 
Danl. Porter, June 11, 1760. She d. June, 1766 and he d. March 19, 
1768. Ch. : L Sarah, b. Nov. 9, 1752; H. David, b. Jan. 26, 1755 ; 
III. Anna, b. Feb. 4, 1761, d. April 9, 1781 ; IV. David, b. June 5, 
1762, d. March 19, 1768, 



APPENDIX. 633 

6. Asa, son of John, (2,) m. Lois Warner, Dec. 10, lYoo. Ch. : I. 
Selah, b. June 20, 1757; II. Amasa, b. Dec. 22, 1758; III. Selden, b. 
July 6, 1760; IV. Sarah, b. Nov. 1, 1766; V. Daniel; VI. Obadiah, 
m. Mille Nichols, Dec. 6, 1790. 

7. John, son of John, (2,) ra. Anna Barnes, Sept. 14, 1763, and d. 
Sept. 15, 1807. Ch. : I. Truman, b. Feb. 24, 1764; II. Reuben, b. 
Oct. 2, 1765 ; III. John, b. Feb. 17, 1768, d. same year; IV. John, b. 
Aug. 12, 1770, d. Oct. 10, 1830; V. Anne, b. Dec. 27,1772; VI. 
Clarissa, b. Feb. 24, 1776. 

8. TiMOTHV, son of John, (2,) m. Jemima, dau. of Doct. Danl. Por- 
ter, April 7, 1762, and d. June 22, 1824. Ch. : I. Timothy, b. Nov. 
28, 1762; II. Noah, b. Jan. 27, 1765 ; III. Daniel, b. Dec. 12, 1766, 
d. 1767; IV. Jemima, b. Jan. 3, 1768, d. 1783; V, Hannah, b. Dec. 
23, 1770; VI. Sylvia, b. Aug. 28, 1773; VII. Daniel, b. Nov. 6, 1775 ; 
VIII. David, b. Jan. 4, 1780. 

9. Rev. James, son of William, (3,) m. Amy, dau. of Capt. George 
Nichols, Nov. 7, 1762. Ch. : I. James, b. March 19, 1764, settled in 
Waterbury; II, William, b. 1766, m. Ann Davidson, d. in 1851 ; III. 
Hannah, b. 1768, m. Daniel Miehean? and d. 1846 ; IV. Rev. Elias, b. 
1771, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Scovill, and d. in 1841 ; V. Samuel, 
b. 1773, ra. 1st, Deborah Gilbert, 2d, Mary Smith; VI. Daniel, b. 
1776; VII. Sarah, b. 1777, m. Doct. C. Hathaway, d. in 1846; VIII. 
Edward, b. 1779, m. Polly Bates, d. 1840; IX. Henry, b. 1781, m. 
Mary Cunningham. 

10. Samuel, son of William, (3,) m. Ruth, dau. of Benjamin Bron- 
son, Dec. 19, 1756. She d. Aug. 18, 1761, and he m. 2d, Harts- 
horn, May 3, 1765. Ch. : I. Anna, b. May 13, 1759; II. Ruth, b. 
Aug. 12, 1761 ; III. Uri, b. 1765, ra. Melliscent, dau. of Samuel South- 

mayd, Oct. 17, 1784, who d. Oct. 1796. Ch. : 1. , b. Aug. 15, 

1785 ; 2. Chester, b. 1787 ; 3. Southraayd, b. 1789 ; 4. Sarah, b. 1791 ; 
5. Ruth Ann, b. 1793; 6. Geo. Chester, b. 1795. 

11. William, son of William, (3,) m. Sarah, dau. of Samuei 
Brown, Dec. 24, 1767, and d. Aug. 13, 1827. Ch.: I. Bethel, b. 
June 6, 1769, d. 1775 ; II. Elizabeth, b. July 31, 1771, d. 1774 ; III. 
William, b. Sept. 29, 1773 ; IV. Elizabeth, ra. Rev. Elias Scovill ; V. 
Samuel, m. Ruthy Langdon — lives in Watertown, has Sarah, Mary and 
William. 

12. James, son of Rev. James, (9,) m. Alathea, dau. of Mitchel Lam- 
son of Woodbury, Nov. 16, 1788, and d. Nov. 26, 1825. Ch. : L 
James Mitchel Lamson, b. Sept. 4, 1789, ra. Sarah, dau. of William H. 
Merrimau, Oct. 9, 1849 ; ch., James Mitchel Lamson, b. Sept. 3, 



53i HISTORY OF WATEKBUEY. 

1850; Sarah Alathea, b. Feb. 14, 1852; Henry William, b. Nov. 11, 
1853 ; II. Betsey, b. May 12, 1792, m. Sept. 10, 1809, John Bucking- 
ham ; III. Sarah H., b. March 25, 1794, ra. Aaron Hitchcock, in 1821 ; 
IV. William II., b. July 27, 1796, m. 1st, Eunice Davies of Ogdens- 
burg, N. Y., July 2, 1827, who d. Nov. 25, 1839, and he ra. 2d, Re- 
becca H. Smith of New Haven, March 23, 1841, and-d. March 27, 
1854. His wid. d. Aug. 4, 1854. Ch., Alathea Ruth, b. March 21, 
1828, m. Frederick J. Kingsbury; Mary Ann, b. May 3, 1831 ; Thomas 
John, b. June 9, 1833, d. May 22, 1839 ; Sarah II., b. July 13, 1839, d. 
Nov. 4, 1839; William Henry, b. Jan. 1, 1842 ; James Mitchel Lam- 
son, b. June 15, 1843, d. Feb. 8, 1846 ; Nathan Smith, b. April 3, 1847, 
d. May 22, 1849. V. Edward, b. Dec. 31, 1798, m. Harriet Clark, 
Aug. 21, 1823 ; VI. Amy M., b. Feb. 9, 1801, d. April 30, 1804; VII. 
Caroline, b. July 4, 1803, m. Rev. William Preston, Oct. 1, 1842 ; VIII. 
Maria A., b. Aug. 14, 1805, m. Hon. Joel Hinman, 1825 ; IX. Mary, b. 
July 23, 1808, m. Rev. Jocob L. Clark, April 28, 1829, and d. May 2, 
1842; X. Stella Ann, b. May 19, 1811, d. Sept. 12, 1815. 

13. Selah, son of Asa, (6,) m. Mary, dau. of Abial Roberts, Nov. 6, 
1784. Ch. : I. David, b. Sept. 6, 1787 ; II. Mark, b. July 24, 1789 ; HI. 
Ebenezer, b. Nov. 25, 1791. 

1. Thomas Upson, of Hartford and Farmington, had ch., Thomas, 
Stephen, Mary, Hannah and Elizabeth. 

2. Serg. Stephen, son of Thos., (1,) had, Mary, Stephen, Elizabeth, 
Thomas, Hannah, Tabiatha, John and Thankful. (See p. 193.) 

3. Stephen, son of Stephen, (2,) had ch. : I. Sarah, b. March 8, 1714, 
d. 1714; II. Sarah, b. July 26, 1715, m. Gideon Hickox, Aug. 15, 
1734; HI. Stephen, b. Dec. 9, 171 7; IV. and V. Joseph and Benja- 
min, b. Aug. 14, 1720 ; VI. Mary, b. May 2, 1724, m. Samuel Porter, 
Dec. 9, 1747 ; VII. and VIII. Ebenezer and Thankful, b. Sept. 29, 
}121, Ebenezer d. in 1749; Thankful ni. Ebenezer Johnson, Oct. 15, 
1756 ; IX. Jemima, b. April 8, 1730, d. in 1736 ; X. Hannah, b.Sept. 
29, 1735, ra. Jesse Sj.erry, May 8, 1759. 

4. Thomas, son of Stephen, (2,) hadch.: I. Tliomas, b. Dec. 20, 
719; II. and HI. Mary and John, b. Jan. 21, 1721,— John d. 1741 ; 

IV. Josiah, b. Jan. 28, 1724-25; V. Asa, b. Nov. 30, 1728; VI. 
Timothy, b. Oct. 8, 1731 ; VII. Amos, b. March 17, 1734 ; VIII. Sam- 
uel, b. March 8, 1737 ; IX. Freeman, b. July 24, 1739, d. 1750. 

5. John, son of Stephen, (2,) had ch. : I. Daniel, b. March 19, 1726 ; 
II. Elijah, b. Feb. 11,1727-28, d. young; HI. Elijah, b. Feb. 5, 1730- 



APPENDIX. 535 

31, d. 1732-33 ; IV. Hannah, b. Nov. 17, 1733, ra. Silas Merriraan ; V. 
Martha, b. May 1, 1736, in. William Barnes; VI. John, b. March 31, 
1739; VII. James, b. Nov. 4, 1742 ; VIII. Elijah, b. May 6, 1745. 

6. Stephen, Esq., son of Stephen, (3,) m. Sarah, dau. of Thomas 
Clark, Jan. 14, 1749-50, and d. March 27, 1769. His wid. d. Sept. 29, 
1813, a. 90. Ch. : I. Mary, b. Nov. 21, 1750, d. Sept. 26, 1767 ; 11. 
Olive, b. Feb. 18, 1753, m. Isaiah Prichard ; III. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 11, 
1755, d. Sept. 20, 1757; IV. Stephen, b. Sept. 12, 1758, was shot in 
N. Y. in 1776; V. Esther, b. Sept. 21, 1760, ra. Asahel Bronson, Feb. 
12,1784; VI. Sarah, b. July 15, 1763, m. Stephen Gilbert of South 
Salem, N.Y.; VII. Mark, b. Feb. 21, 1766, m. Susanna Allen, and d. 
July 19, 1820 ; VIII. Daniel, b. March 7, 1769. 

7. Joseph, son of Stephen, (3,) m. Comfort, dau. of Obadiah Scott, 
Feb. 13, 1744-45, and d. Aug. 7, 1749. His wid. d. Nov. 28, 1814, a. 
91. Ch.: I. Jemima, b. July 14, 1746, m. Moses Cook, Nov. 4, 1766 ; 
II. Ezekiel, b. Oct. 7, 1748, m. Mary, dau. of Andrew Bronson. 

8. Benjamin, son of Stephen, (3,) m. Mary, dau. of Dea. Moses 
Blakeslee, Nov. 17, 1743. He lived in Northbury. Ch. : I. Ruel, b. 
June 12, 1744, m. Deborah, dau. of Samuel Peck, April 23, 1766 ; II. 
Susanna, b. Jan. 12, 1746, m. Benj. Gaylord, and d. in 1818 ; HI. Lois, 
b. May 12, 1748, m. Israel Terrel ; IV. Joseph, b. May 5, 1750, m. 
Anna, dau. of Thos. Bronson, Feb. 13, 1771 ; V. Benjamin, b. July 3, 
1752 ; VI. Jesse, b. Nov. 28, 1754, d. 1755 ; VII. Jesse, b. May 25, 
1756; VIII. Noah, b. Sept. 26, 1758; IX. Asahel, b. April 25, 
1762, ra. Mehitable, dau. of Capt. Thos. Castle, and settled in Wolcott ; 
X. Mary, b. June 22, 1765; XI. Sarah, b. July 23, 1768. 

9. Samuel, son of Thomas, (4,) m. Ruth . Ch. : I. Mary, b. 

Feb. 1759, m. Joseph Minor; II. Archibald, b. April 26, 1761, d. 1782 ; 
HI. Isaac, b. Dec. 22, 1763 ; IV. Obed, b. Jan. 2, 1767; V. Harvey, 
b. Nov. 11, 1769; VI. and VII. Samuel and Ruth, b. Aug. 16, 1772 ; 
VIII. Jerusha, b. June 27, 1775, d. 1775; IX. Manly, b. March 12, 
1777; X. Betsey, b. Aug. 10, 1779. 

10. Mark, son of Stephen, (6,) had ch. : I. Olive, m. Joseph Blakeslee, 
II. Esther; III. Sarah, d. unm. ; IV. Lucena, m. Williara Stowe ; V. 
Lucius, d. aged about 62 ; VI. Rosetta, d. unra. ; VII. Jesse, m. Esther 
L. Hotchkiss, resides in Waterbury ; VIII. Sarah Ann ; IX. Davis, d. 
aged 22. 

11. Daniel, son of Stephen, (6,) m. Mary, dau. of Samuel Adams. 
She d. June 29, 1830, and he m. wid. Phebe Kirtland of Woodbury, 
Sept. 4, 1831, who d. May 4, 1845. He d. Oct. 1, 1854. Ch. ; I. 
Stephen, b. May 8, 1797, d. Dec. 6, 1822 ; IL Alvin, b. Dec. 4, 1798. 



536 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

m. Mary Sperry, and lives in Mich.; III. Daniel, b. May 16, 1801, m. 
Nancy Hotcbkiss — no ch., lives in Watertown; IV. Minerva, b. March 
10, 1803, (1. June 6, 1822; V. Polly Maria, b. Dec. 29, 1805, d. Jan. 
19, 1807; VI. William, Nov. 1, 1807, lives in Middlebury, unm.; VII. 
Merlin, b. Feb. 28, 1810, m. Emily Beecber of Naugatuck, — residence, 
Woodbury; VIII. Sarah Maria, b. Nov. 19, 1813, m. David Summers, 
lives in Woodbury; IX. Thomas Clark, b. Dec. 20, 1819, m. 1st, 
Harriet Morris of Woodbury, -vvho d. July 12, 1853, and m. 2d, Cor- 
nelia Pease of Vt., lives in Waterbury. 

12. Benjamin, son of Benjamin, (8,) m. Mary, wid. of Thoraes Clark, 
Jan. 24, 1780, and d. July, 1824. His wife d. June 13, 1816. Ch. : I. 
Stephen, b. June 12, 1783. (See p. 443.) 

13. Thomas, son of Thomas of Farmington, (4,) m. Hannah, dau. of 
Capt. Timothy Hopkins, May 28,1749. She d. June 6, 1757. He 
d. Sept. 5, 1764. Ch. : I. Benoni, (see p. 443,) b. Feb. 14, 1750, m. 
Leva Hopkins; II. Charles, b. March 8, 1752; III. Sylvia, b. June 7, 
1756, d. 1764. 

14. Charles, son of Thomas, (13,) m. Wealthy Hopkins, May 26, 1773, 
andd. April 29, 1809. His wid. d. Dec. 28,1783. Ch. : I.Wash- 
ington, b. Sept. 2, 1775, d. April 15, 1813 ; 11. Lee, b. May 7, 17 78 ; 
IH. Gates, b. July 18, 1780. 

15. Reuben Upson, son of John, and grandson of John ? (5,) m. Han- 
nah, dau. of Nathaniel Richardson, Dec. 25, 1798. Ch. : I. Reuben, b. 
Aug. 28, 1799, d. May 12, 1802; II. Phebe, Oct. 13, 1801, and pro- 
bably others. 

W^ARNER. 

1. John Warner, of Hartford and Farmington, had ch. : John 
Daniel, Thomas and Sarah. 

2. John, son of John (1,) (see p. 195,) had Ephraim, John, Robert, 
(see Cothren's Woodbury, p. 752,) Ebenezer and Lydia. 

3. Daniel, son of John, (1,) had Daniel, John, Abigail, Samuel and 
Thomas. (See p. 198.) 

4. Thomas, (see p. 198,) son of John, (1,) had, Benjamin, John, 
Mary, Martha, Thomas, Samuel and Margaret. 

5. Doct. Ephraim, (see p. 196,) son of John, (2,) had, L Margaret, 
b. Feb. 16, 1693, d. March, 1693 ; H. Ephraim, b. Oct. 29, 1695, d. Dec. 
28, 1704; III. Benjamin, b. Sept. 30, 1698; IV. John, b. June 24, 
1700; V. Obadiah, b. Feb. 24, 1702-3; VL Esther; VH. Ephraim; 
VIII. Ebenezer. 

6. Doct. John, (see p. 196,) son of John, (2,) had, I. A dau., b. July 



APPENDIX. 537 

22, 1609 ; II. Rebecca, b. Nov. 24, 1703, ra. Samuel Thomas of Wood- 
bury ; III. Ebenezer, b. June 24, 1705; IV. Lydia, b. Feb. 23,1706-7; 
V. John, b. in Stratford, March 31, I7l7. 

7. Daniel, son of Daniel, (3,) had, I. A son, d. young; IT. A son, b. 
and d. March, 1795-6 ; III. Samuel, b. April 16, 1798; IV. Sarah, b. 

Jan. 3, 1704-5, m. Huff; V. Ebenezer, b. April 11, 1706; VI. 

Abraham, b. Nov. 16, 1708 ; VII. Abigail, b. Feb. 10, 1710-11 ; VIII. 
Mary, b. July 16, 1712, m. Isaac Tuttle of Woodbury, April 15, 1731. 

8. Samuel, son of Thomas, (4,) liad, I. and II. twins, d. young ; III. 
Mary, b. July 5, 1718, m. Robert Drakely of Woodbury, July 14, 1751 ; 
IV. Sarah, b. Sept. 1720, m. Timothy Warner; V. Thomas, b. June 
22, 1722, m. Huldah Warner, and d. without issue; VI. Benjamin, b. 
Oct. 22, 1724, d. April 22, 1760; VII. and VIII. Thankful and Pa- 
tience, b. Marcb 10, 1727; Thankful ra. Thomas Hammond; IX. Han- 
nah, b. Aug. 20, 1729, m. Abraham Adams; X. Stephen, b. Sept. 30, 
1731, ra. Fhebe Baldwin; XL Phebe, b. Feb. 6, 1785-6, ra. Wait 
Wooster ; XII. Martha, b. July 21, 1738 or 1739, m. Charles Warner. 

9. Doct. Benjamin, son of Ephraim, (5,) m. Hannah, dau. of Josiah 
Strong of Colchester, March 17, 1720, and d. April, 1772 ; his wife d. 
April, 1785, aged 85. Ch. : I. Josiah, b. April 10, 1721, m. Rebecca 
Brown; II. Dinah, b. Feb. 11, 1723, m. Benj. Harrison; III. Reuben, 
b. Oct. 12, 1725, d. March 28, 1727 ; IV. Margaret, b. Nov. 9, 1727, 
m. Oliver Wei ton ; V. Reuben, b. Sept. 21, 1729 ; VI. David, b. Nov. 
27, 1731, m. Abigail Harrison; VII. Benjamin, b. Jan. 26, 1734; 
VIII. Anna,'^b. Jan. 31, 1736, ra. John Hickox, Jr.; IX. Ephraira, b. 
June 26, 1738, m. Lydia, dau. of Samuel Brown, March 30, 1760, and 
d. May 20, 1808,— wife d. July 20, 1815— no issue; X. Eunice, b.Aug. 
2, 1740, ra. John Hickox 3d ; XL Ard, b. Nov. 1, 1742, m. Elizabeth 
Porter. 

10. Dea. John, son of Ephraira, (5,) ra. Esther, dau. of David Scott, 
Dec. 17, 1724. She d. Feb. 18, 1726, and he m. Mary, dau. of Thomas 
Hickox, Oct. 3, 1728, who d. in 1784. He d. Sept. 7, 1794. Ch.: L 
Esther, b. Sept. 11, 1729, d. Sept. 4, 1730; IL Phebe, b. Jan. 8, 1732 ; 
IIL Anni.*, b. Jan. 3, 1735; IV. James, b. Dec. 11, 1739, ra. Eunice 
Dutton; V. Mary, b. Oct. 9, 1742, d. April 21, 1745; VL Elijah, b. 
March 21, 1746; VIL John, b. Oct. 14, 1749, m. Anne Sutliff. 

11. Obadiah, son of Ephraira, (5,) ra. Sarah, dau. of Joseph Lewis, 
Feb. 1, 1726-7. Ch. : '. Jerusha, b. Oct. 13, 1727, m. Aaron Harri- 
son; IL Lydia, b. June 6, 1729; IIL Obadiah, b. June 20, 1731, d. 
June 25, 1750 ; IV. Esther, b. Nov. 9, 1733, d. Feb. 1746 ; V. Joseph, 
b. Oct. 23, 1735; VL Lois, b. Mirch 30, 1733, in. Asa Scovil ; VIL 



538 niSTOKT OF waterbury. 

Enos, b. Aug. 11, 1T40, d. Sept. 1, 1749; VIII. Sarah, b. Feb. 21, 
1742-3, in. Aaron Terrel ; IX. Eleanor, b. Jan. 13, 1743-4, m. Samuel 
Hickox; X. Agnis, b. Feb. 24, 1747; XI. Irena, b. July, 1749, m. 
Altijali Warner; XII. Mary, b. Aug. 6, 1751. 

12. EuENEZER, son of Ephraiui, (5,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Thos. 
Bronson, April 2, 1740, and d. Oct. 5, 1805, aged 94. Ch. : I. Noah, 
b. Nov. 21, 1740, d. April 6, 1759 ; II. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 17, 1742, d. 
Dec. 21, 1746; III. Margaret, b. Oct. 6, 1744, m. Richard Welton ; 
IV. Ebenezer, b. Jan. 16, 1748, d. Aug. 13, 1750; V. Jemima, b. Nov. 
5, 1749, d. Nov. 7, 1751; VI. Annis, b. March 21, 1752; VII. Eliza- 
beth, b. March 17, 1754, m. Ard Welton, d. 1827; VIII. Justus, b. 
March 27, 1756, m. Rena Warner, went to Ohio and d. in Liverpool, 

0., April 16, 1856 ; IX. Mark, b. Dec. 22, 1757, m. Foote, d. in 

1815 ; X. Jemima, b. May 17, 1761. 

13. Ephraim, son of Ephraim, (5,) m. Eleanor, dau. of Wm. Smith, 
of Farmington, Feb. 14, 1739, and d. Nov. 5, 1768. Ch. : I. William, b. 
Sept. 13, 1740, m. Mary Chambers; II. Abijah, b. Jan. 5, 1743, m. 
Rena Warner; III. Rebecca, b. June 15, 1745, m. Barnabas Scott; 
IV. Epha, b. April 29, 1748, ra. Elizabeth Perkins of New Haven ; V. 
Seth, b. Oct. 4, 1750, d. Oct. 23, 1751 ; VI. Seth, b. Jan. 5, 1753 ; 

VII. Eleanor, b. Sept. 28, 1757 ; VIII. Esther, b. May 30, 1760. 

14. Ebenezer, son of John, (6,) m. Mary, dau. of Richard Welton, 
Jan. 22, 1729, and d. Feb. 16, 1750. She d. April 7, 1747. Ch.: I. 
Stephen, b. June 25, 1730, d. Feb. 24, 1750; II. Dorcas, b. July 1, 
1732, m. Amos Scott; III. Phebe, b. Aug^J^l735; IV. John, b. 
March 10, 1739, d. Nov. 8, 1750. --^"^ 

15. John, son of John, (6,) m. Sarah, dau. of Moses Bronson, Oct. 
26, 1743. He d. before Dec. 2, 1760. Ch. : I. Ellen, b. Sept. 2, 1744, 
d. Sept. 20, 1746 ; II. Ellen, b. Oct. 23, 174G ; III. Bela, b. Sept. 20, 
1748; IV. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 15, 1750. 

16. Samuel, son of Daniel, (7,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Edmund Scott, 
Dec. 21, 1719. Ch.: I. Daniel, b. Aug. 27, 1720, d. at Cape Breton ; 
II. Timothy, b. July 26, 1722 ; III. Nathan, b. July 6, 1724 ; IV. Eliz- 
abeth, b. March 26, 1726, m. Zebulon Scolt ; V. Thomas; VI. Naihan, 
b. Dec. 25, 1729; VII. Abigail, b. Nov. 15, 1732, m. George Scott; 

VIII. Huldah, b. May 17, 1734, m. 1st, Thos. Warner, 2d, Saml. Wil- 
liams; IX. Enos, b. June 14, 1736 ; X. Susanna, b. Aug. 3, 1738, m. 
Ephraim Bissel, Nov. 5, 1756 ; XI. Samuel, b. Jan. 10, 1742, m. Anne 
Camp. 

17. Ebenezer, son of Daniel, (7,) m. Martha, wid. of Edmund Scott 
and dau. of John Andruss, April 18, 1734. Ch. : Jemima, b. July 2, 



APPENDIX. 539 

1735; II. Benajah, b. Jan. 17, 1738, d. 1741 ; III. Benajah, b. Jan. 
8, 1742. 

18. Abraham, son of Daniel, (7,) m. Keziah, dan. of Richard Wei- 
ton, Dec. 12, 1734, and d. Nov. 23, 1749. Ch, : I. Charles, b. Jan. 18, 
1736, m. Martha Warner; II. Levi, b. March 16, 1738; III. Zubah, 
b. July 12, 1740 ; IV. Keziah, b. Oct. 6, 1742 ; V. Sylvia, b. May 18, 
1745; VI. Daniel, b. April 18, 1748. 

19. Stephen, son of Samuel, (8,) in, Phebe, dau. of James Baldwin 
of Derby, Nov. 13, 1754. Ch. : I. Melliscent, b. Oct. 27, 1755; II. 
Roxanna, b. April 13, 1757 ; III. Bede, b. July 6, 1761 ; IV. D'iana, b. 
Jan. 4, 1764; V. Anna, b. Nov. 11, 1765; VI. Arba, b. April 13, 
1768; VII. Reuben, b. Oct. 11, 1773. 

20. JosiAH, son of Doct. Benjamin, (9,) ra. Rebecca, dau. of James 
Bronson, May 26, 1748, and d. Aug. 26, 1750. His wid. d. Jan. 5, 
1756. Ch. : I. Ozias, b. Aug. 21, 1749, m. Tamer Nichols. 

21. David, son of Doct. Benjamin, (9,) m. Abigail, dau. of Benj. 
Harrison, Dec. 11, 1753. Ch : I. Josiah, b. Oct. 6, 1754, m. Anna 
Prichard; II. Aaron, -b. Nov. 24, 1756, m. Lydia Welton; III. Ura- 
nia, b. Oct. 1, 1758 ; IV. James H., b. Dec. 18, 1760 ; V. Benjamin, 
b. Nov. 17, 1762. 

22. Ard, son of Doct. Benjamin, (9,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Doot. 
Daniel Porter, Jan. 12, 1764, and d. April 30, 1824. His wid. d. Aug. 
21, 1835, aged 90. Ch. : I. Joanna, b. 1764, in. Samuel Gunn, had 
several ch. and d. in Ohio; II. Lydia, b. 1766, m. Samuel Alcox, lived 
in Wolcott; III. Ephraim, b. 1768, was drowned 1786; IV. Elizabeth, 

b. 1769, m. Osborn, went to Black River; V. Prudence, b. 1772, 

removed to Camden, N. Y.; VL David, b. 1774 ; VIL Irena, b. 1775, 
m. twice, is living in Pa. ; VIIL Ard, b. 1777 ; IX. Hannah, b. 1780, 
m. Anson, son of Ozias Warner; X. Asahel, b. 1782; XI. Chauncey, 
b. 1785, resides in Fulton, Ohio, has ch.; XIL Susan, b. 1789, m. 
Levi, son of Ozias Warner. 

23. James, son of Dea. John, (10,) m. Eunice, dau. of David Dutton, 
Jan. 1, 1761, and d. May 27, 1819. His wife d. May 7, 1815. Ch. : 
I. Sarah, b. Oct. 2, 1761 ; II. Noah, b. Aug. 1763, d. Sept. 18, 1820 ; 
IH. Lucinda, b. Sept. 20, 1765, m. Elijah Hotchkiss ; IV. Eunice, b. 
April 3, 1769, d. Aug. .30, 1769; V. James, b. Jan. 25, 1771, d. Jan. 
15, 1773 ; VL Eunice, b. May 31, 1773, ra. Eli Terry; VIL James, b. 
Nov. 1, 1775. 

24. Elijah, son of Dea. John, (10.) m. Esther, dau. of Thos. Fenn, 
Nov. 19, 1767. Ch. : L Lyman, b. May 22, 1768 ; IL Chauncey, b. June 



540 HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 

11, 1V70, ra. A. Tallmage; III. Rosetta, b. Feb. 25, 1773 ; IV. Elijah; 
v. Ajiollos, m. Chloe Wilcox of Sinisbury. 

25. John, son of Dea. John, (10,) m. Anne, dau. ofDea. John Sutliff, 
Sept. 22, 1773. Ch.: I. Chloe, m. Enos Uutton ; 11. Martha, b. Jan. 24, 
1775, m. Victory Tomlinson ; III. Eliel, b. Oct. 1776, ni. Amanda 0^born ; 

IV. Aaron, b. 1780, m. Polly Camp, d. 1839 ; V. Abijah, b. 1784, m. 
Betsey Fenn; VI. David, b. 178G, m. Anne Atwater ; VIT. John S., b. 
1789, m. Emily Lord ; VIII. Anne,b. July 20, 1792, m. A. G. Welton. 

26. Joseph, son of Obadiah, (11,) m. Elizabeth, dau. of Ebenezer 
Wakely, Jan. 13, 1763, who d. in 1767, and he m. Huldah Nichols. 
Ch. : I. Sarah, b. Nov. 6, 1763, d. young; 11. Joseph, b. May 12, 1765, 
d. Sept. 14, 1845 ; III. Sarah, b. April, 1767 ; IV. Obadiah, b. 1770, d. 
Sept. 14, 1845. 

27. AniJAH, son of Ephraim, (13,) m. Rene, dau. of Obadiah Warner, 
Dec. 13, 1764. Ch.: I. Garmon, b. Aug. 2, 1765; II. Lucy, b. Oct. 
23, 1766 ; IIL Agnis, b. Dec. 25, 1769 ; IV. Rene, b. Oct. 10, 1771 ; 

V. Rebecca, b. Feb. 24, 1773. 

28. William, son of Ephraim, (13,) m. Mary, dau. of Thos. Cham- 
bers, Dec. 8, 1762 ; Ch. : L Austin, b. Dec. 18, 1764 ;.IL Loretta, b. Jan. 
30, 1767; probably others. 

29. TiMOTHr, son of Samuel, (16.) m. Sarah, dau. of Samuel Warner, 
Feb. 25, 1745; Ch. : L Naomi, b. Jan. 4, 1746, m. Samuel Webb; II. 
Mind well, b. Aug. 14, 1749; IIL Rosanna, b. Aug. 1, 1753 ; IV. Lucy, 
b. Nov. 9, 1655; V. Jesse, b. Nov. 12, 1757 ; VL Rene, b. Nov. 1, 
1759 ; VII. Consider, b.May 9, 1762. 

30. Samuel, son of Samuel, (16,) ra. Anne, dau. of Abel Camp, May 6, 
1760. Ch. : L Levinia, b. Sept. 16, 1761; II. Antha, b. Sept. 25, 
1764 ; IIL Bade, b. July 5, 1766 ; IV. Thankful, b. July 8, 1768. 

31. Charles, son of Abraham, (18,) ra. Martha, dau. of Samuel Warner, 
April 2, 1759. Ch. : L Orpha, b. June 11, 1760, d. June 25, 1760 ; IL 
Oirin, b.May 1, 1762; IIL Lucena, b. April 12, 1764; IV. Levi, b. 
Nov. 22, 1766; V. Asa, b. July 15, 1769. 

32. OziAS, son of Josiah, (20,) m. Tamer, dau. of Richard Nichols, Oct. 
9, 1770. Ch. : L Rena, b. April 16, 1771 ; II. Eunice, b. April 2, 1773 ; 
IIL James, b. Oct. 18, 1774; IV. Anson, b. Aug. 9, 1778 ; V. Tamer, 
b. Aug. 13, 1780; VL Lydia, b. March 14, 1782 ; VIL David, b. Feb. 
20, 1784; VIII. Levi, b. Feb. 14, 178G, ra. Susan, dau. of Ard War- 
ner, removed to Springville, Penn., has a large family. 

33. JosiAii, son of David, (21,) m. Anna, dau. of Roger Prichard, 
Jan. 6, 1774. Ch. : L David, b. Aug. 17, 1774 ; 11. Anne, b. Sept. 1, 
1776; IIL Polly, b. Oct. 5, 1779; IV. Anna, b. June 1, 1781,— per- 
haps others. 



APPENDIX. 541 

34. David, son of Ard, (-22,) m. Louis Sutliff wid. of Ira Tompkins. 
Ch. : I. Amanda, b. 1810, m. John B. Terry, of Bristol ; II. Vienna, b 
1815, m. and resides in East Haddam ; III. Betsey, b. 1718, m. Reuben 

I Tyler. 

35. Ard, son of Ard, (22,) ra. Mary, dau. of Seba Bronson. Ch. : I. 
Maria, ra. lives in Ohio; II. Mary, ra. Gen. David B. Hurd ; ch., Mary 
M., Elizabeth J., Margaret L., Ilellen N., and Caroline; III. Elizabeth, 
ra. Danl. Barheller, resided in 111., d. Nov. 1855; IV. Nancy, ra., 

i lived in Illinois, — is deceased ; V. Sherman B., ra. Lydia Hall of 
1 Southbury, has one ch., Arthur O. ; VI. Charles A., m. Mary Ann 
j Thomas of Bethany — has ch. ; VII. Maria, m. Col. Levi Bolster of 

Maine ; ch., Edwin S., Juliett M., Horatio A., Mary H., Jane E., M. 

Harriet; VIIL Abram J., graduated at Trinity Coll., Hartford, — is an 

Episcopal clergyman in 111. 

36. AsAHEL, son of Ard, (22,) ra. Lowly Andruss. Ch.: I. Anna, m. 
C. Case, went to Syracuse, N. Y. — has ch.; II. Chauncey, resides in 
Syracuse, has been married twice ; III. Sarah Jane, m. Sumner Van- 
hosen of Cliicopee, Mass. — has ch. ; IV. Wolcott, enlisted, went to Mex- 
ico and has not been heard of since the taking of Vera Cruz. 

37. Anson, son of Ozias, (32,) ra. Hannah, dau. of Ard Warner, (22,) 
Ch. : I. Ei»hraim,m. Mary Whitney — both dead — left a dau. ; II. Charity, 
m. Chauncey Royce of Bristol — has four ch.; III. G. Porter, m. Eunice 
Terrell and had 3 ch. ; IV. Emeline J., m. Charles Ball of Southington, 
has ch. ; V. Charlotte II., m. 1st, Wm. Thompscn, 2d, H. Bronson, of 
Prospect. 

WELTON. 

1. John Welton (see p. 200) had ch. : John, Stephen, Abigail, 
Mary, Elizabeth, Else, Richard, Hannah, Thomas, George and Esther. 
Stephen had no sons, Thomas but one, who d. young. In the following, 
the descendants of John, Richard and George are given separately. 

First Family, or John's Posterity. 

2. John, son of John, (1,) had, L John, b. June 28, 1707; II. Eze- 
kiel, b. March 4, 1709, went to Nova Scotia; III. George, b. Aug. 16, 
1711 ; IV. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 31, 1713 ; V. Mary, b. Jan. 26, 171B, d. 
j^oung; VL Thomas, b. Feb. 23, 1718; VH. Mary, b. Oct. 10, 1722 ; 
VIIL Oliver, b. Dec. 14, 1724 ; IX. Silence, b. Dec. 24, 1727. 

3. John, son of .h>\\n, (2,) m. Elizabeth Hendrick of Fairfield, Feb. 
12, 1739. Ch.: I. Lois, b. May 9, 1744 ; H. Lutf, b. March 9, 1748, d. 
1749. 



54:2 IIISTOET OF WATERBUKT. 

4. Ebenezer, son of John, (2,) had, I. Nathaniel, b. April 4, 1742, d. 
April 23, 1777; II. Sarah, b. Dec. 5, 1744; III. Mercy, b. Sept. 15, 
1747; IV. Ebenezer, b. July 14, 1750; V. David, b. July 27, 1752, 
d. 1757 ; VI. Phebe, b. April 11, 1755 ; VII. David, b. June 5, 1760. 

5. Nathaniel, son of Ebenezer, (4,) m. Martha, dau. of Thomas Tut- 
tle of New Haven, Feb. 6, 1764. Ch.: I. Sarah, b. March 10, 1765 ; 
11. Ilezekiah, b. Nov. 30, 1766 ; III. TJri, b. June 30, 1768 ;'lV. Na- 
thaniel, b. March 10, 1770; V. Jarvis, b. Feb. 26, 1772 ; VI. Alien, b. 
March 11, 1774 ; VII. Elias, b. July 18, 1776. 

6. Hezekiaii, son of Nathaniel, (5,) m. Hannah, dau. of Levi Welton, 
had ch., — went West. 

7. Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel, (5,) had, Horace; Laura, m. John 
Hotchkiss ; Charry ; Maria, m. Freeman Sanford ; Garry. 

8. Horace, son of Nathaniel, (7,) m. 1st, Julia, dau. of Asahel 
Finch, 2d, Susan Hitchcock. Ch. : L Edwin, b. June 26, 1824; IL 
Augu-^tus, b. March 16,1826; IIL James, b. March 16, 1829; lA^. 
Julia, b. Dec. 23, 1733; V. David, b. Dec. 26, 1835; VL Stella, b. 
March 9, 1837; VH. Nelson, b. Oct. 17, 1841; VIII. Mary, b. Dec. 
14, 184 4 ; IX. William, b. Sept. 28, 1849 ; X. Ellen, b. March 22, 1852. 

9. James, son of Horace, (8,) m. Augusta Boyd of Simsbury. Ch. : 
Georgiana and Adella. 

10. Garry, son of Nathaniel, (7,) had Eliza and Nelson. 

11. David, son of Ebenezer, (4,) in. Sarah, dau. of Jabez Tuttle, 
June 20, 1781. Ch.: L Daniel, b. Nov. 19, 1781 ; H. Jabez, b. May 
30, 1783; IH. David, b. June 27, 1785; IV. Hannah, b. Sept. 18, 
1789; V. Lucina, m. Osborn. 

12. Daniel, son of l^avid, (11,) m. Susanna Selkriggs, and had 
William, George, Annis, Sarah and Mary. 

13. George, son of Daniel, (12,) m. Charlotte Smith, and had Sarah, 
George and Daniel. 

14. Jabez, son of David, (11,) m. Betsey Moore of New Haven. 
Ch.: L Ebenezer, b. Nov. 22, f^05 ; II. Rebecca, b. Jan. 27, 1^09, m. 
1st, Tyler Bronson, 2d, Lucius Beach; HI. David, b. Aug. 26, 1112 ; 

IV. Polly, b. Sept. 1814, m. 1st, Cornelius Munson, 2d, Marvin Minor; 

V. Francis, b. Jan. 26, 17 17. 

15. Ebenezer, son of Jabez, (14,) m. Mary Ptice, and had Charles. 

16. David, son of Jabez, (14,) m. Huldah Bronson. Ch. : Frances 
E., David F. and Albert B. 

17. Francis, son of Jabez, (14,) m. Lucretia, dau. of Ozias Hubbard 
of Guilford. Cli.: Isidora L., b. Jan. 4, 1848 ; Ann C, b. Oct. 14, 1853. 

1 8. Thomas, son of John, (2,) m. Mary, dau. of R. Cossett of Simsbury, 



APPENDIX. 543 

Sept. 15, 1742. Ch. : I. Ezekiel, b. Aug. 29, 1743; IT. Reuben, b. Feb. 
19, 1746 ; HI. Ailing, b. July 14, 1748, d. 1749; IV. Ailing, b. May 
15, 1750, d. 1750 ; V. Bethel, b. Aug. 9, 1751, d. 1763; VI. Lucretia, 
b. Jan. 20, 1754; VII. Rosetta, b. Feb. 10, 1757, d. 1757; VIII. 
Levina, b. April 20, 1759 ; IX. Sliubel, b. July 29, 1761 ; X. Bethel, b. 
July 18, 1767. 

19. Reuben, son of Thomas, (18,) m. Rhoda Hull of Wallingford. 
Ch. : I. Johnson F. ; II. Eri ; III. Polly, m. Obadiah Warner ; IV. Eze- 
kiel ; V. Lucretia, m. W^illiam Pendleton; VI. Rosetta, m. David FA- 
wards; VII. Phila, ra. William Smith ; VIII. Lovisa. 

20. Er[, son of Reuben, (19,) m. Alma Baxter. Ch. : Orrin,' Julia 
Ann, Lucius B., Mary, Ransom W., Edward, Charles, Sarah, Eri. 

21. EzKKiEL, son of Reuben, (19.) had, Lovisa, Alma, Harriet, Jennet, 
Merritt, Miranda, Sarah, Mary and Hiram. 

22. Merritt, son of Ezekiel, (21,) m. Clarissa, dau. of Elias Prichard, 
and had Henrietta. 

23. Ezekiel, son of Thomas, (18,) m. Mercy, dau. of Ebenezer Wel- 
ton, Oct. 1765. Ch. : L Eri, b. Feb. 8, 1768; H. Cephas, b. April 
25, 1771 ; HI. Gracina, b. March 7, 1774. 

24. Oliver, son of John, (2.) m. Margaret, dau. of Benjamin Warner, 
Dec. 14, 1749, and d. Nov. 10, 1809. She d. Jan. 17, 1823. Ch. : L 
Anne, b. Dec. 14, 1749, d. 1753 ; II. Ard, b. Aug. 19, 1752 ; HI. Beu- 
jarain.b. Sept. 27, 1764; IV. Arad, b. Feb. 26, 1758, went to Virginia, 
m. and had daughters; V. Margaret, b. Oct. 27, 1763. 

25. Ard, son of Oliver, (24,) m. Sept. 13, 1773, Elizabeth, dau. of 
Ebenezer Warner, and d. July 9. 1803. She d. April 15, 1827. Ch.: 
I. Anni^, b. Sept. 13, 1774, m. Lyman Warner of Northfield, and d. 
July, 1844; H. Erastus, b. Aug. 6, 1776, d. Aug. 1849; IH. Margaret 
A., b. Feb. 25, 1779, m. Lemuel Porter, went to Ohio, and d. in 1806 ; 
IV. Isaac, b, Oct. 2, 1785, d. Feb. 17, 1806, while a member of Y. C. 

26. Erastus, son of Ard, (25,) m. Abigail Church, who d. Feb. 23, 
1846. Ch. : L Polly, b. July 24, 1797, ra. Jared S. Hall, July, 1834 ; 
n. Shelden, b. Nov, 7, 1799; IH. Ard, b. Feb. 24, 1805,— resides in 
Charleston, S. C; IV. Isaac, b. Aug. 25, 1806 ; V. Elizabeth, b. March 
27, 1809, m. Joseph Hine, July 20, 1836. 

27. Shelden, son of Erastus, (26,) m. Bet?ey Jordan, Sept. 12, 1825, 
who was b. Sept. 17, 1803. Ch.: Adaline E., b. Nov. 11, 1826 ; Bird- 
sey S., b. Aug. 17, 1831 ; Hiram E., b. Oct. 14, 1734. 

■-^ 28. Ard, son of Erastus, (26,) m. Caroline, dau. of Richard F. Wel- 
ton, who d. Oct. 1, 1831, aged 26. Ch. : L Margaret A., b. Jan. 4, 
1827 ; Ellen E,, b. Oct. 18, 1829, m. Horace Johnson, Sept. 7, 1852. 



5J:4: HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 

29. Isaac, son of Erastus, (26,) m. Feb. 22, 1841, Eunice P. Oviatt 
of Oliio, where he resides. She was b. Aug. 28, 1809. Cb. : Emily, b. 
May 3, 1843 ; Lucretia, b. May 16, 1«45; Luthera, b. May 16, 1845. 

30. Benjamun, son of Oliver, (24,) m. Agnes, dau. of Enos Gunn. 
Ch. : Anne, b. May 10, 1780; Willard, b. Jan. 14, 1782; Abel G., b. 
Feb. 15, 1785; Benjamin S., b. March 5,1791; Arad W., b. May 1, 
1794. 

31. Abel G., son of Benjamin, (30,) ra. Anna, dau. of John Warner. 
Ch.: I. George, was drowned when a young man ; II. Jane, m. Luther 
Hoadley ; III. Abijah, m. Elizabeth Upson, has a dau. ; IV. William, m. 
Elvira Atkins, ch., Jane and Harriet; V. John; VI. Henry, m. Mrs. 
White — one child. 

32. Benjamin S., son of Benjamin, (30,) ra. Gray. Ch.: Peter, 

deceased ; Caroline, ra. Chidsey ; Grey, d. young. 

33. Arad W., son of Benjamin, (30,) ra. Sally Smith. Ch. : I. Ellen, 
b. April 17, 1817, m. Chas. Wooster, d. July 16, 1843; II. Oliver, b. 
Aug! 24, 1820, d. Jan. 26, 1842 ; III. Andrew A., b. Aug. 27, 1823, d. 
Dec. 3, 1841. The two last d. while members of Trinity Coll. IV. 
Noah B., b. March 21, 1829, ra. Eliza Baldwin of New Haven ; ch., Oli- 
ver, b. July 8, 1853. 

Second Family, or Richard's Posterity. 

34. Richard, son of John, (1,) had, I. Richard, b. 1701 ; II. John, b. 
July 13,1703; III. Stephen, b. March 12,1706; IV. Mary, b. June 
1, 1708; V. Thomas, b. Oct. 25, 1710, d. Dec. 1, 1780 ; VI. Keziah, b. 
Dec. 1, 1713, ra. Abraham Warner; VII. Eliakim, b. Jan. 21, 1715, 
d. Nov. 20, 1794; VIII. Tabitha, b. Feb. 17, 1720, m. Edward Neal— 

lived in Southington ; IX. Ede, b. April 24, 1729, m. Lewis, d. 

aged 21. 

35. Richard, son of Richard, (34,) m. Anna Fenton. Ch. : I. John ; 
IL Anna ; III. Titus, d. unm. ; IV. Abi, m. Fenn of Watertown. 

36. John, son of Richard, (35,) m. Dorcas, dau. of Capt. Samuel 
Hickox, Jan. 5, 1758, who d. June 13, 1815. He d. Jan. 22, 1816. 
Ch.: I. Abi, b. Nov. 2, 1758, d. 1828, unm.; IL Mary, b. June 10, 

1760, m. Phelps, d. 1811 ; IIL Anna, b. Feb. 11, 1762, d. 1803, 

unm.; IV. Titus, b. July 3, 1764; V. Richard F., b. April 17, 1763, 
d. May 9, 1829 ; VL John, b. Oct. 28, 1769; VII. Dorcas, b. Oct. 29, 
1771, d. 1793 ; VIIL Adrian, b. Feb. 15, 1775, d. Oct. 20, 1804 ; IX. 
John, b. Jan. 13, 1778, d. April 2, 1813. 

37. Titus, son of John, (36,) m. Polly Hickox. Ch. : I. Julia A., m. 
Selden Shelton of Plymouth, went to Western N. Y. ; II. Alanson W.; 



APPENDIX. 



545 



III. Curios, b. 1792, d. 1799; IV. Dorcas, m. Reuben llickox ; V. and 
VI. Carlos and Titus, h. April 10, 18ul, both d. young; VII. Sarah, b. 
1803, d. 1809 ; VIH. Win. Samuel, b. 1806, d. 1817 ; IX. Mary. 

38'. Richard F., son of John, (30 ) tn. 1st, Sarah Annah llickox, 2d, 
Anna, dau. of Dr. Timothy Porter. Ch. : I. Ephraim W. , II. Richard 

F., in. Loveland ; III. Lydia A., m. Anson Lane; IV. George W. ; 

V.' Joseph ; VI. Caroline, b. Nov. G, 1805, m. Ard Welloii. 

39. Adrian, son ot John, (36 ) ra. Sally Clark. Ch. : 1. Mary Ann, m. 
Reuben Judd, d. Dec. 21, 1837, aged 40 ; II. Sabrina, b. 1799, d. 1852; 
III. Horace Clark, b. 1801, d. 1854. 

40. John, son of John. (36,) in. Abiah Hull. Ch. : I. Manvil ; II. 
Leonard ; III. Adrian ; IV. Charles, m. Sally, dau. of Thos. Judd. 

41. Rev. ALANSON,son of Titus, (37,) m. Eleanor Tuttle, d. at Detroit. 
Ch. : Samuel, Mary and John. 

42. Ei^naAiM W , son of Richard F., (38,) m. Polly, dau. of Lemuel 
Nichols. Ch.: Sarah Ann, m. William iloadley ; John ; George ; 
Ephraim ; Henry and William. 

43. George W., son of Richard F., (38,) m. Harriet Minor, who d. 
May 26, 1839, and he m. Mary Ann Graliam. Ch. : Harriet Minor, 
Mary, Emily J., Ellen C. and George Richard. The last d. Aug. 5, 
1855. 

44. Joseph C, son of Richard F., (38,) m. Jane, dau. of Timothy 
Porter. Ch. : Caroline. 

45. Horace C, son of Adrian, (39.) m. S )phia, dau. of Daniel Brad- 
ley. Ch.: I. William A.; H. Frederick A., m. and has a son, 
Byron. 

"46. George, son of Ephraim W., (42,) m. Mary Nichols, wlio d. in 
1855. Ch.: Sarah, Ellen and Charles. 

47. William A., son of Horace C, (45,) m. E'iza, dau. of Leonard 
Prichard. Ch. : Lewis F., d. 1849 ; Frederick L. and William P. 

48. Stkphen, son of Richard, (34.) m. Dec. 13, 1731, Deborah, dau. 
of John Sutliff, and d. April 30, l7.o9. Ch. : I. Martha, b. Nov. 19, 
1732, d. 1735; H. Levi, b. Nov. 10, 1734, d. 1736; IIL Martha, b. 
Marcli 1, 1736, in. J. Grilley ; IV. Dinah, b. May 2, 1738 ; V. Levi, b. 
March 6, 1741 ; VI. Stephen, b. Jan. 7, I7l4; VII. Thomas, b. Dec. 
22, 1749, d. 1751 ; VIII. Thomas, b. Nov. 22, 1751. 

49. Levi, son of Stephen, (48,) m. Mary, dau. of Richard Seymour, 
who d. in 1768, and he m. 2d, Molly Hull. Ch. : L Deborah, b. Manch 
28, 1762 ; II. Lydia, b. Oct. 28, 1763 ; 111. Stephen, b. Oct. 1, 1765 ; 
iv'. Molly, m. Jesse Silkrigg of Wolcott ; V. Hannah, m. Uezekiah 
Welton ;"VI. Cynthia Kosanna, m. Michael Harrison ; VII. Lavinia, in. 

35 



546 HISTOKY OF WATEKBUKY. 

James Brown ; VIII. Disa ; IX. Betsey, rn. Camp; X. Pliilo, m 

Blrtkesly, removed to N. Y. State. 

50. Stkphkn, sou of Stejilien, (48,) m. Lucy Thomas. Cli. : Lemuel, 
Levi, Dinah, Lucy, Zilpah, Elihu, Asher, Alfred, Betsey and Irene. 

51. Thomas, son of Stephen, (48,) m. Abigail, dau. of Li' ut. Wm. 
^ Hickox, June '22, 1772, who d. Jan. 13, 1791. He ni. 2d, Ruth Thom- 
as, 3d. Hannah, dau. of Lt. Jar.ed Hill, and d. April, 1835. Ch. : I. Sey- 
mour, b. July 2. 1772 ; IL Sarah, b. Dec. 18, 1773, d. 1774 ; HI. Jared, 
b. July 15,1774; IV. Elias, 1). July 18, !77G,m. Rlioda Prindle of 
Watertown ; V. Sarah, b. Dec. 12, 1778, m. Levi Hall of AVol'.oti ; VL 
Chloe, b. Nov. 2, 1780, m. John Barnes ; VIL Lydia, b. July 21, I 783 ; 
VIIL Fanny, b. April 1, 1785; IX. Laura, b. Feb. 1787; X. Hansom, 
b. July 18, 1789, went to Canada; Xf. Thomas 11.; XII. Ruth N., m. 
Street Todd : XIll. Herschel, b. 1797, d. 1842. 

52. Sevmouu, son of Thomas, (51,) m. Olive Harrison. Ch. : Harri- 
son, Suplironia and John P. 

53. Jared, son of Thomas, (51.) m. I'hilomela Norton. Ch. : Abbe ; 
Ziba ; Emily; Orestes; Leonard; Fanny ; Delia A., m. Daniel, son of 
Elias Clark, is the only living dau. of this family ; Almira; Maryett. 

54. HKRSCiiiii., son of Th(»mas. (51,) m. Eunice dau. of David Prin- 
dle of Watertown. Ch. : David T. ; Chauucey P., m. Jennet Cleve- 
land, and had, Dvvight, Caroline and Ella; Sherman E. ; Hannah A.; 
Ranslin N. ; Hector E.; Iler.-chel 0. 

55. David T., son of Ilerschel, (54) m. 1st, Polly Nichols, 2d, Caro- 
line Turner. Ch. : Everet and two daughters. 

56. Sherman E, .«on of Ilerschel, (54,) m. Caroline Cleveland, who 
d. June 15, 1856. Ch.: Haltie. 

57. Ranslin N., son of Ilerschel, (54,) m. Mary, dau. of Edward 
Scott. Ch. : Mary and another dau. 

68. Thomas, son of Richard, (34,) m. Lydia Utter, 2d, Lydia Warner. 
^ He lived on Bucks hill — had no ch. — adopted his nephew, Richard Wel- 

ton. His wife survived him, m. Dr. Preserved Porter, and d. Oct. 1821, 
aged 92. 

69. ELiAKiM,.son of Richard, (34 ) m. April 28, 1736, Eunice, dau. of 
Moses Bronson. Ch. : L Eliakim, b. Sept. 22, 1736, d. June 8, 1821 ; 
II. Eunice, b. Oct. 19, 1738, m. David Roberts; HL Avis, b. Aug. 13, 
1740, m. Thaddeus Barnes; IV. Richard, b. Oct. 10, 1743, d. Feb. 26, 
1822; V. Eli, b. Oct. 10, 1746; VL Moses, b. Juhe 25, 1749; VII. 
Aaron, b. Feb. 19, 1752; Vi'II. and IX. Benoni and Benjamin, b. Feb. 
18, 1756. Benoni d. unm., Benjamin d. young. 

60. Eliakim, son of Eliakim, (59,) m. Amy, dau. of Ebcnezer Bald- 



APPENDIX. 547 

win, who d. Jan. 3, 1829, arred 87. CIi.: I. Eben, h. June 24, 1764; 
n. Eliakim, b. Dec. 13, 1766; IK. Amy, 1>. Sept. 25, 1770,(1. 1770; 
IV. Joseph, b. S^pt. 6, 1 77 1, d. 1774; V. M rk, b. April 27, 1773; VI. 
Amy, b. April 4, 1776; VII. Avice, b. M iivli 12, 1779, d. 1779 ; VIII. 
Joseph, b. March 29, 1780; IX. Mose^ b. March 16, 1783, d. Sept. 14, 
1829; X. Micock, b. March 9, 1787, d. 17b8. 
Vi 61. Richard, son of Eliakin:i, (59,) m. Mirgaret, dau. of Ebcntv.er 
Warner, April 27, 1766. She d. Ocl. 19. 1768, and he ni. 2.1, Han- 
nah Davis, Aug. 7, 1770, who d. Dec. 11, 1839. Cli. : I. Noali, b. 
Feb. 15, 1767, d. Jan. 26, 1847 ; II. Richard Warner, b. Oct. 10. 1768, 
d. Dec. 1768; III. Richard, b. M ly 10, 177 >, d. Sept. 26, 1807; IV. , 
M^u^3;ai:£t, b. July 2, 1772, m. HuikLStede ;* V. Thomas, b. Dec. 8, ^ 

1774, d. April 18, 1856 ; VI. Lydia, b. April 1, 1777, m. David Rob- 
erts of Burlington, and d. Aug. 31, lc^28 ; VII. Hannah, b. Oct. 10, 
1779, m. David Warner — went to Geneseo, N. Y.; VIII. Joseph 
Davis, b. Ai)ril 15, 1783, d. Jan. 16, 1825; IX. Bela, b. Sept. 9, 1787, 
d. Oct. 10, 1822. 

G2. Eli, son of Eliakim, (59,) m. Anna Baldwin, July 1, 1771. Ch. : 
Eli, b. Aug. 10, 1772; Asa, b. Nov. 24, 1773; Pliebe, b. Sept. 29, 

1775, d. 1777 ; Eunice, b. Aug. 12, 1777; Benoni, b. April 19, 1780 ; 
Anna ; Priiitl;a. 

63. Eli, son of Eli, (62.) had, Joel, Bennet, Eli and Asa. 
04. Eli, son of Eli, (6-3,) ni. Rhoda Wilson. Ch. : I. Elmore, m. 
Sarah Ann Cleveland ; ch., I. Homer ; II. Jane ; III. Ruth. 

65. Asa, son of Eli, (62,) m. Fenn. Ch. : I. SeMen ; II. Hiram, 

m. Harriet, dau. of Timothy Ball, d. leaving no cli.; III. Lyman ; IV. 
Emily, m. Simeon Philips; V. Ileman. 

66. Heman, son of Asa, (65,) m. 1st, Adaline Blakeslee, 2d, A. 
Carter. Ch. : Oliver Blakeslee and another son. 

67. Moses, son of Eliakim, (59,) rn. Betta Wooster. Ch. : Andrew 
and E!izur. 

68. Aaron, son of Eliakim, (59,) m. Zera Bronson, Jan. 13, 1777. 
Ch. : Tamar, b. Feb. 28, 1778; Junia, b. Dec. 1779 ; Harvey, b. Oct. 
28, 1780, d. 1782; Harvey, b. Nov. 2, 1782. 

69. Ebev. son of Eliakim, (60,) m. Sa ah, dau. of Titus Barnes, and 
moved to Ohio with his family. Ch. : Avice, Sarah, Selden, Jacob, 
Elisha, Caroline, Eben and Polly. 

* Rev. AsHBEL Stbklr, a son of Daniel by a first wife, was born in Waterbury, Jan. 31, 1796. ■/ 
lie now resides in Washington City, and is the author of a recent work evincing laborious re- 
search, entitled " Chief of the Pilgrims, or the Life and Times of William Brewster." He mar- 
V ried a descendant of Elder Brewster.— H. B. 



548 



HISTORY OF WATEKBURY. 



70. Eliakim, son of Eliakim, (60,) m. Loly, dau. of Titus Barnes. Jan. 
3, 1788, and went to Ohio with liis family. Ch. : I. Orasena, b. March 
10, 1790, m. Thos. Worden ; II. Micha B., b. Aug. 13, 1792, m. 
Wealthy Upson ; III. Sherman P., b. Oct. 24, 1796, d. 1797; IV. 
Sherman P., b. Oct. 8, 1798, m. llutli Upson; V. Sally M., b. July 
7, 1801, m. in Ohio. 

71. Mark, son of Eliakim, (60.) m. Sally Davis, and removed to the 
State of N. Y. Ch. : Samuel, Truman, Amy, Hiram, Harriet, Almira 
and Dorcas. 

72. JosKPH, son of Eliakim, (GO,) m. Ellen, dau. of John Warner of 
Plymouth, and went to the State of N. Y. Ch. : Norman, Charlotte, I 
Warner, Emeline and Eliakiu). i 

73. Moses, son of Eliakim, (60,) m. Iliildah, dau. of Titus Ilotehkiss 
of Wolcott, Aug. 20, 1810. Ch.: I. Milo, b. 1811, d. young; II. 
Jnlia, b. Nov. 22, 1813, m. Andrew Hough ; III. Sarah, b. Feb. 20, 
1820, m. Franklin Hall; IV. Iluldah, b. Sept. 12, 1823, m. Edward 
Pratt; V. Hester, b. April 6, 1825, m. Hiram Curtiss ; VI. Mary, b. 
April 25, 1827, m. Joel Hungerford. 

74. Noah, son of Ridiard. (61.) m. Nabby Chidsey of East Haven, 
in 1791, 2d, Ellen Cowles Dec. 1804, who d. Nov. 26, 1848. lie lived 
in Ilarwinton. Ch. : I. Miles, b. June 15, 1793; II. Margaret A., b. 
March 28, 1800, d. 1803; III. Aaline, b. June 15, 1803, m. Willard 
Hitchcock of Burlington, April 3, 1822, and went to Vt. ; IV. Nabby, 
b. Nov. 17, 1805, m. Charles Judson, May, 1826; V. Margaret A., b. 
Jan. 2, 1808, m. Enoch Marks, May, 1826 ; VI. Noah E., b. Aug. 12, 
1811, d. Oct. 1848 ; VII. John J., b. Feb. 2, 1814 ; VIH. Lester C, b. 
April 20, 1817; IX. Elvira, b. April 25, 1821, m. Rev. Collis Potter, 
of Plymouth, in 1851 ; X. Bela A., b. Dec. 2.->, 1823; X[. Jane, b. 
July 12, 1827, m. Jared Smith of Ilarwinton in 1854. 

75. Miles, son of Noah, (74.) m. Jan. 1815, Nancy, dau. of Stephen 
Graves of E. Plymouth. Ch. : I. Street C, b. Sept. 8. 1816 ; H. Ximnus, 
b. Dec. 16, 1817, d. Aug. 9, 1822 ; HI. Albert, b. May 7, 1820 ; IV. 
Carlos, b. April 3, 1822 ; V. X. Alanson, b. March 1 7, 1824 ; VI. Ruth 
Adaline, b. July 14, 1826, m. Eben Coll of Plymouth, April, 1845; 
VII. Nancy Ann, b. Jan. 25, 1830, m. Ralph Humphrey of Ansonia, 
Nov. 1853; VIII. Major G., b. June 21, 1832 ; IX. Marvin B., b. June 
21, 1832 ; X. Emily W, b. April 17, 1836. 

76. NoahE., son of Noah, (74,) m. Mahitabel Bulkley in 1832, and 
2d, Lydia J. Chidsey in 1836. Ch. : Charlotte A., Noah J., Ellen J. 
and Seymour U. 



APPENDIX. 549 

77. John J., son of Noah, (74,) m. Maiia Wilcox, April, 1840, who 
(1. Sept. 1847. Cli. : Charles, b. 1841 ; Ellen M., b. 1846. 

78. Lester C, son of Noah, (74,) ni. Coira Mathews of Bristol, Sept. 
1845, — is now living in Henry Co., 111. Cli. : James M., Ellen A. and 
Merritt Hobert. 

79. Bela A., son of Noah, (74,) resides in 111., m. Jane Merritt, has a 
son. 

80. Street C, son of Miles, (75,) m. Aaline Smith of Orange, N. J., 
Sept. 1841. Ch. : John S. and Alanson. 

81. Albekt, son of Miles, (75.) m. Susan A. Bidwell of Northfield, 
Jan. 1842. Ch. : Francis G., Mary E. and George VV. 

82. Carlos, son of Miles, (75,) ra. Maria E. Peek of Farraington, 
Nov. 1846, who d. Feb. 1850, leaving a son, Henry A. 

83. X. Alanson, son of Miles, (75.) is an Episcopal clergyman, and 
rector of St. Matthew's church, Cambridge, Henry Co., 111. He ?n. Har 
riet F. Koot of Guilford, Vt., Sept. 4, 1853, and had a dau., Ellen E. 

84. Richard, son of Richard, (61,) m. Sarah, daughter of Nathaniel 
Gunn, March, 1797. She d. July 20,1851. Cli.: I. Artemesia, b. 
April 15, 1798, m. Lauren Frisbie, Nov. 28, 1821 ; H. Edward, b. Jan. 
19, 1800; 111. Merritt, b. April 5, 1802; IV. Amy, b. April 18, 1804, 
m. Mortimer Jordon of Ala.; V. Hannah M., b. July 10, 1807, ra. 
Nathanial Hawkins of Ala. 

85. Edward, son of Richard, (84,) m. Laura Brown. Ch. : Richard, 
Noah A., Caroline A. and Martha A. 

86. Merritt, son of Richard, (84,) m. went South, is now in Califor- 
nia with his family. Ch. : Limson, Amy and Lydia E, — probably 
others. 

87. Thomas, son of Richard, (61,) m. Sybil Cook of Wallingfora, 
Jan. 3, 1797. She was b. Oct. 10, 1778. Ch. : L Lyman, b. June 15, 
1798; H. Evelina, b. Jan. 23, 1800, m. Anson Downs, Oct. 26, 1823; 

III. Minerva, b. March 19, 1802, m. Burton Payne, Feb. 3, 1828; 

IV. Sally D., b. Sept. 5, 1807, d. 1808 ; V. Sally D., b. June 14, 1810, 
m. Henry Bronson, Oct. 4, 1832; VL Nancy, b. April 12, 1812, m. 
Frederic A. Bradley, May 22, 1836. 

88. Lyman, son of Tlios. (87,) m. Minerva, dau. of Benjamin Judd, 
Dec. 24, 1822. Ch. : Henry A., b. Dec. 2, 1823 ; Franklin L., b. Dec. 
11, 1827; Nelson J., b. Feb. 15, 1829. Henry A. is m. and has one 
ch., Tlios. H. — Franklin L. is also m., has had three ch., one only is 
living. 

89. Rev. Joseph D., son of Richard, (61.) m. Eunice, dau. of Victory 
Tomlinson. She d. Feb. 20, 1832. Ch.: L Julia M., b. Jul v, 1809, m. Geo. 



550 HISTORY OF WATERBUKY. 

Warner ; II. Hobert V., b. Oi-t. 28, 181 1, in. Adaline, dau. of Lutlier Rich- 
ards of Vt., and liis eh. are, Edwin \) , b. ]83(!, Sarah C, b. 1839, Harriet 
A.,b. 1850 ; lII.Jose|di, b. May 15, 1814, ni. Mary, dau.of Seabury Pier- 
pont. Ch., Heber 11., b. 1837, Eunice C, b. 1839, Lucy A., b. 1841 ; 
IV. Henry, b. Sept. 27, 1824, in. Lucy l^aird of Buffalo, N. Y. 

90. Bela, son of Richard, (61,) m. April 16, 1817, Tolly, dau. of 
Benjamin Morehouse nf Washington, Conn. She was b. Nov, 27, 
1T92. Ch. : L Hi. hard, b. Jan. 7, 1820, m. Abby Mitchel, May 10, 
1853, has two children, Nelly M. and Richard; IL Hawley Seymour, 
b. Oct. 13, 1821, m. Eliz:i Merriam, Dec. 19,1844. Ch. : Bela and 
Richard. 

Third Family, or George's Posterity. 

91. George, son of John, (I,) had ch. : L Stephen, b. Oct. 27, 1713 ; 
H. Samuel, b. Oct. 20, 1715, d. 1738; HL Peter, b. Sept. 28, 1718; 
IV. Elizabeth, b. May 23, 1721; V. Hannah, b. June 11, 1723; VL 
James, b. Oct. 9, 1725 ; VH. Josiah, b. June 10, 1728, m. Martha, dau. 
of Jonathan Kelly of Woodbury, d. in 1758, no ch.; VIII, Dan, b. May 
19, 1731, 

92. James, son of George, (91,) was the first male child* b. (Oct. 9, 
1725) in that part of Waierbury, now Waterlown. He m. Mary, wid. 
of Joseph Prichard of Milford, in 1763. 

93. Stephkn, son of George, (91,) m. Aug. 27, 1741, Abigail, dau. 
of Jonathan Welton. She d. Nov. 1, 1776. Ch. : I. Elijah, b. Aug. 13, 
1742 ; IL Samuel, b. Nov. 2, 1744 ; HI. Jesse, b. Nov. 23. 1746 ; IV. 
Amasa, b. April 26, 1749; V. Daniel, b. April 1, 1752, d. 1753; VL 
•♦Achsah," b. Sept. 15, 1754; VH. Josiah, b. Feb. 17, 1759. 

94. Elijah, son of Stephen, (93,) m. Feb 23, 1769, Hannah, dau. of 
Isaac T\ler of Wallingford. Ch.: Daniel M., b. Aug. 14, 1770 ; Isaac, 
b. Jan. 11, 1775 ; Hannah, b. Jan, 3, 1778 ; Stephen, 

95. SamL'EL, son of Stephen, (93,) m. Jerusha Hill, Nov. 23, 1770, 
and d. May 9, 1777, Ch. : L Anna, b. Dec. 23, 1770; IL Jonathan, b. 
Feb. 14,1774; ch., George, Samuel, Edward and Stephen ; HI. Lydia, 
b. Oct. 18, 1776. 

96. Jesse, son of Stephen, (93.) m. Sarah, dau. of Isaac Tyler of 



* The first permanent settlers of Westbury, so far as my inquiries have extended, were Jona. 
than Scott, Sen. and Dr. (afterwards Deiicon) John W'arner. These had no children after their 
removal thither. Isaac Castle frcim Woodbury settled there about 17 5, and had born (and re- 
corded in Waterbury) a son, Asahel, A-ugust 28, 172.'^, (as I read the figures.) Samuel Thomas, 
another settler, had a daughter, Mabel, also recorded in Waterbury, b. Aug. U, I72i. (See p. 
•258, of this work.)— H. B. 



APPENDIX. 551 

WallingforJ, Dec. 13, 1770. Cli. : Parthenia, b. July 4, 1772; Abi- 
gail, b. Marcl) 5, 1774 ; Eiios, b. Sepi. 29, 1776; Jes<e. 

97. Amasa, son of Stephen, (93 ) in. Mary, dau. of Benjamin Nichols, 
Sept. 6, 1770. CL. : Achsah, b. May 20, 1773 ; Orpha, b. Jud':: ?, 
J 776. 

98. JosiAH, son of Stephen, (93,) had oh., Samuel and Uri. 

99. Peter, son of George, (91.) m. Abigail, dan. of Nathaniel Por- 
ter, Nov. 22, 1739. Ch. : I.Samuel, b. Sept. 26, 1740, d. 1740; II. 
Ruth, b. Sept. 26, 1741; III. Peter, b. Feb. 28, 1744; IV. Job, b. 
March 15, 1746, d. at Ticonderoga, Oct. 11, 1776; V. Abigail, b. Aug. 
4, 1748, d. 1751 ; VI. George, b. Aug. 26, 1750, d. 1751 ; VII. Abi- 
gail, b. Oct. 27, 1752; VIII. Elizabeth, b. May 18, 1756; IX. Dinah, b. 
June 1, 1759; X. George, b. Nov. 12, 1761; XI. Mary, b. May 15, 
1765. 

100. Peter, son of Peter, (99,) m. Desire Cooper, April 10, 1766. 
Ch.: I. De:.ire, b. Dec. 15, 1766; 11. A son, b. July 1, 1769; III. Sa- 
rah, b. May 19, l77l ; IV. Peter, b. Dec. 1773 ; V. Josiah, b. Aug. 6, 
1776. 

101. Dan, son of George, (91,) m. and had Gaal and James. The 
last had a dau. Irena. 

WOODWARD. 

1. Henry Woodward,* from England, settled in Dorchester, Mass., 
about 1636, and united with the church there previous to 1639. In 
1659, he removed to Northampton, to which place he followed Rev. 
Elcazer Mather, and was one of the seven pillars when the church was 
organized, June 18, 1661. He built a mill there, (not the first mil!,) 
and " was killed in his grist mill," (by lightning- it is said,) April 7» 
1685. His wife, Eizabeth, d. in Northampton, Aug. 13, 1690. Ch. : 
I. Experience, m. Medad Pomery, Nov. 21, 1661; II. Freedom, bap. 
at Dorchester, in 1642, m. Jedediah Strong, Nov. 18, 1662; HI. 
Thankful, ni. John Taylor, Dec. 18, 1662 ; IV. John, an only son. 

2. John, son of Henry, (1,) lived in Northampton till after the death 
of his father. He removed first to Westfield, and then to Lebanon, 
Conn. He ra. Anna Dewey, of Westfield, dau. of the emigrant, Thos. 
Dewey of Windsor, May 18, 1671. Ch. recorded in Northampton : I. 



* I am informed that he had a brother John, who came with hira to Mass., — became a Quaker, 
was banished, went to R. I., was again banished and his estate confiscatecl. He is supposed to 
have gone to Virginia, as the numerous families of that name, now found at the South, origina- 
ted in that State. 



5o2 HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 

Elizabetli, b. March 17, 1672, m. Stephen Lee of Westfield, in 1691; 
II. Jolin, bap. April 2, 1674 ; III. Samuel, b. March 20, 1676, d. Oct. 
20, 1676; IV. Henry, b. March 18, 1G80; V. Thomas, b. April 22, 
1682; VI. Israel, b. Feb. 6, 1685. 

3. Capt. Israel, son of John, (2.) ni. Abigail Beard of Iluntington, 
and removed to that part of Waterbury, now AVatertown, about I7o0. 
They lived together in the married state 69 years, and d. at the ad- 
vanced ages of 93 and 96. Ch.: I. Nathan; II. Abel, b. April 1, 
1736-7; III. Israel; IV. John; V. Asa, m. Esther Roberts, no iss. ; 
VI. Elijah ; VII. Anna, m. Asa Curtiss; VIII. Eunice, ni. Wait Scott ; 
IX. Abigail, d. in infancy ; X. Samuel, b. Oct. 25, 1750. 

4. Nathan, son of Israel, (3,) m. 1st, Sarah Ilickox, 2d, Eunice 
Painter, July 1, 1731, Ch. : Moses, Hawkins, Antepas, John, Na- 
than, Sarah, Lois, Polly and Laura. 

5. Abel, son of Israel, (3,) m. Lucy Atwood, March 20, 1765. Oh.: 
I. Rebun S., b. Jan. 9, 1766; IL Eunice, b. March 18, 1767; III. 
Lucy, b. March, 1769, d. 1770; IV. Abel, b. Oct. 13, 1770; V. James, 
b. Sept. 25, 1772; VL David, b. Oct. 26, 1774; VIL Lucy, b. July 
23, 1776; VIIL John, b. Aug. 12, 1778; IX. Jerusha, b. April 2, 
1781; X. Kussel, b. 1783. 

6. Israel, son of Israel, (3,) m. Abigail, dau. of Eliakim Stoddard, 
Oct. 28, 1765. Ch.: Israel J'.., b. 1767 ; Paraelia, b. 1770; Abigail, b. 
1772 ; Anna, b. 1774 ; Asa, b. 1779. 

7. John, son of Israel, (3,) m. Lydia Trowbridge, July 13, 1786. Ch.: 
William, b. May 3, 1787; Rebecca, b. July 9, 1789 ; Abigail, b. June 
30, 1791 ; Lucius. f 

8. Elijah, son of Israel, (3.) m. Margary Richards. Ch. : Truman, 
Sally, Minerva and Dotha. 

9. Dr. Samuel, son of Israel, (3,) m. Mary Griswold. Ch. : Mary, Laura, 
Samuel Bayard, Elijah, Griswold, Rufus, Henry and Charles. Samuel 
B. was a distinguished physician, first of Wethersfield then of Worces- 
ter, and afterwards of Northampton, Mass., where he died in 1850. He 
had charge of the Hospital for the Insane in Worcester. Rufiis gradu- 
ated at Y. C. in 1816, became a tutor and d. in 1824. Henry was a 
physician in Middletown of great promise, and died in 1832. Charles 
is now a well known practitioner of meilicine in Middletown. They 
were all born in Torringford, to which place the father removed in early 
life. 



III. LATER ECCLESrASTICAL SOCIETIES: 
MANUEACTURING: STATISTICS. 



After the matter of the preceding pages had been arranged, and the book 
far advanced in the printing, there were put into my hands certain documents 
relating to the more recently organized churches of Waterbury, and the manufac- 
turing interests of the place. I insert them here, in some instances giving only 
summaries. The sketch of the Baptist church which immediately follows has been 
already printed. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN WATERBURY. 

In preparing a sketch of the History of the Baptist Church in "Waterbury, 
great difficulty has been experienced from the imperfection of its records during 
the earlier years of its existence. Indeed the history of the church, as here 
presented, from the time of its organization to the year 1836, a period of 3.3 
years, has been mainly taken from Association minutes, the records of neighbor- 
ing churches, and the personal recollections of those who still survive. 

In the year 1791, November 7th, a number of the members of the ancient 
church of Wallingford, (now Meriden,) were organized into a distinct body, 
known for a time as the Second Baptist church in Wallingford. Among tliis 
number were Zenas Brockett, David Frost and Isaac Terrell, the first Baptists in 
the town of Waterbury.* For several years it was their custom, and the custom of 
those afterwards associated with them, to visit the church of their adoption at 
least once every month, and this journey, a distance of twelve miles, they usually 
performed on foot. By these brethren, meetings were established and conducted 
iu the town of Waterbury, and in 1803, November 10th, a church was organized 
of those previously connected with the Second Baptist church in Wallingford. 
Preeminent in this movement were the brethren whose names are above 
recorded ; men who deserve a cherished and honored memory as leaders of the 
infant church, and as Christians of tried integrity of character and purity of life. 
Poor in the riches of this world, but rich in those graces that find favor with 
God, this little band maintained for twelve years, with most unwavering fidelity, 
their regular meetings without a settled pastor. And their humble labors were 
blessed in a gradual but uninterrupted growth. During this period they were 
favored from time to time with the administration of the ordinances by elders 
Samuel Miller and Daniel Wildman, and occasionally by elders Dethick and 
Fuller. 

* There were Baptists in Waterbury 1st Society who bore lists, as early as 1767, as appears by 
papers of that date relating to Farmingbury's petition to the Assembly for society privileges. 



554 



HISTOKY OF WATEEBrKY. 



In the autumn of 1815, brctliien Samuel Totter and Je??e Frost were ordained 
co-jiastors of the church. During thisjoii:t pastorate the cliurch enjoyed an un- 
usual degree of peace and harmony, and many a season occurred which made the 
place of worship verily the house of God and gate of heaven. 

In 1817, Nov. 13th, the church, which had attained a membership of nearly one 
hundred, was divided by the formation of the Woodbridge and Salem church. For 
this purpose 6() members were dismissed, embracing those residing in the southern 
part of Waterbury, (now Naugatuck,) and the adjoining towns of Woodbridge 
(Bethany) and Ilamden, leaving but about thirty with the original church, and 
these in temporal prosperity by no means the most favored. Elder Samuel Potter 
took charge of the new church, while Elder Jesse Frost remained with the old.* 

Soon after the constitution of the Woodbridge and Salem church, the church in 
Waterbury erected a house of worship in the northeastern section of the town, 
which they continued to occupy until the completion of their present house in 
1835. 

In the year 1827, Elder Jesse Frost, their pastor, was removed by death. The 
duty of leading the church then devolved upon Dea. Timothy Porter, who had 
been called by them to accept licensure about a year previous, and who, from this 
time till 1835, a period of about eight years, gratuitously ministered unto them and 
performed the various duties of the pastorate. 

During this period, the prosperity of the church was constant and marked. 
Each year witnessed accessions to the number of converts by baptism. In 1828, 
a special refreshing was enjoyed, when twenty-three were baptized ; and another 
in 1831, when thirteen were in like manner added to the church. So marked at 
this time was their spiritual prosperity, as evinced by union and fellowship, as well 
as in their assemblies where they were wont to meet, that many of the old disciples 
still look back with earnest longing for a return of the former days. The ordinances 
were administered during this period by Elder I. Atkins and Elder Samuel 
Miller, and after his death by Elder William Bentley. 

The church now began to suffer much from the inconveniences and inadecjuacy of 
their house of worship. This, though located two and a half miles from the centre 
of population, with benches only for seats, and no means of warming in winter, had 
yet become too straitened for their numbers, so that their meetings were not un- 
frequently held in the neighboring groves. Finally, after anxious and mature de- 
liberation, they decided to erect a new house of worship in the center of the town. 
This was known to be a great undertaking, but they felt that the interests of the 
cause demanded the effort, and they determined cheerfully to incur the burden. 
They entered into a written compact to subject themselves to a voluntary 



* The \Voodbridf?e and Salem cliureh, now extinct, seems to deserve in this connection a 
prtssiiig notice. After the separation, for six years it enjoyed a contiimiil njanifestafion of the 
Divine Presence, so that from sixty it increased to one hundred and fifteen members. In 1S26, its 
number was reduced to eighty-eight. In IS2S-9, God's presence was again manifest, and forty- 
five were added by baptism, making about one hundred and thirty actual members. From 
this period the number gradually declined, till in I8W the church ceased to be recognized as a 
member of the Association. Their pastor, Klder Samuel Potter, was removed by death in IS33, 
Dec. 2. They were then for a time led by Elder David Bradley, and finally, after an interval 
of some years, by Klder Jacob Sloper, their last pastor. Some of the members afterwards 
united wiih the church in Waterbury, and some still remain scattered over the mountains and 
tlirough the valleys. 



APPENDIX. 555 

ment, the basis of which should be the grand list of the town, apportioned by a 
committee appointed from their own nun'iber. In case any member should feel 
aggrieved, he might a,ppeal to another committee taken from the church, and 
finally to one selected j['rom a neighboring church. Upon this basis, they went 
forward and erected their present house of worship, at a cost of about $(5,500, 
completing it in the year 1835. Rev. Russell Jennings was then chosen their 
pastor, whose acceptable labors were blessed in a largely increased congregation, 
and by two special outpourings of the Spirit in the years 1836 and 1838, in which 
forty were baptized. He resigned in 1838, and the church was supplied during 
the year following by Rev. E. Savage and Rev. W. Russell. 

In 1839, Rev. A. D. Watrous succeeded to the pastorate, during whose minis- 
tration eighty-one were baptized. He was succeeded by Rev. W. S. 'Smith in 
1840, who remained only a few months. From 1840 to 1844, the church was 
without a pastor. The congregation, however, was regularly supplied with the 
preaching of the Word by Rev. G. Allen and Rev. I. Atkins. It was during this 
period that occurred those dark days of their history which so severely tried their 
hearts and faith. A large debt had remained upon their house at the time of its com- 
pletion. Still the debt was not unexpected. But soon after the church was finished, 
occurred the great financial crisis of 1837, from whose disastrous influence no 
section of the country was exempt, and whose shock was especially felt by the 
brethren of Waterbury who had struck hands for building the house of God. Still 
they struggled on as best they could under the heavy burden, until the yeas 1843 
and '44. And it was only when they had voluntarily submitted to three assess- 
ments, each of 170 cents upon the dollar of the grand list of the town, (so that the 
assessments had amounted to more han $250 upon every $1000 listed, and over $100 
for every person whose head alone stood in the list ;) it was only when they had seen 
trusted ones prove false and the faithful w ell nigh crushed, their house of worship 
attached by fraudulent claims, and closed for an entire year except from sun to 
sun on the Sabbath, to save it from passing legally from their hands ; it was 
only when they had been driven to the Legislature for a " Confirming Act," and 
to the Courts of Chancery for the vindication of their rights ; it was only after a 
series of struggles and sacrifices of this character, by which their resources had 
become exhausted and their strength and numbers w^asted, that they resolved to 
appeal to neighboring churches for assistance, as their only remaining hope. 
That assistance was cheerfully and liberally granted. About $7oO were thus 
received, by which, in addition to a fourth subscription in the church, nearly 
equal to each of the preceding three, they became in 1847 entirely free from 
pecuniary embarrassment. 

In 1844, Rev. A. Harrow was called to the pastorate, who continued to fulfill 
its duties till 1847. In 1845 the church was revived, and nineteen added by bap- 
tism through his labors. In October, 1847, Rev. N. M. Perkins became pastor of 
the church, and continued to labor with great acceptance for six years. During 
his labors, the means and influence of the church were greatly extended, and 
forty-one were added to it by baptism. He resigned in April, 1855, and was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Joseph A. Bailey, with whose labors the church is still favored. 
In him the church is now most happily united, and through him has been greatly 
prospered, both in a large increase to the congregation and the addition by bap- 
tism of forty-seven to the number of its members. The present number of 
members is two hundred and thirtv-one. 



556 HISTOEY'OF WATERBURY. 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN WATERBURY. 

Of the early history of Methodism in Watcrbury, but little is now known. It 
is remembered, however, by some now living, that as early as the year 1796 there 
were a few of this then despised persuasion residing in different parts of the 
town, mostly near what is now its easterly boundary. Bishop Asbury, in his 
Journal, under date of Sept. 23d, 1796, mentions passing on his way from East 
Hartford to Stratford, through Watcrbury, Salem and Oxford, and of preaching 
at Watcrbury in the "Separate meeting house." The location of this meeting 
house the writer has not been able to ascertain. 

Again, the Bishop, recording his attendance at a quarterly meeting at Litch- 
field, Sunday, Aug. 3d, 1800, says : " On Sunday morning we had a living love feast. 
Some from Watcrbury were fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." The names of 
these fervent Christians so worthy of special notice are not handed down to us. A 
" class" was formed of those residing in the east part of the town, but such of 
its members as were not scattered by removal or death afterward united with a 
little society organized in Prospect. 

The present Society was organized in the summer of 1815, at the house of 
James Wheeler, about half a mile above Waterville, by the Rev. Samuel Cochran, 
then preacher in charge of the Litchfield Circuit. It consisted of only five per- 
sons, viz: James Wheeler and wife, Samuel R. Hickox and wife, and Azuba Tut- 
tle. The little band held their meetings during the first year at the same house, 
having preaching once in two weeks on Tuesday evenings. Reverends Billy 
Hibbard and Smith Dayton were colleagues with Rev. Samuel Cochran at that 
time, and Rev. Nathan Bangs was presiding elder of the Rhinebeck District, to 
which Litchfield Circuit then belonged. They afterward held meetings at the 
house of David Wheeler, a little east of Waterville at "Pine Hole," and in the 
east center school house which stood near what is now the northerly point of 
Union Square. Being " voted out" of the school house, their ai'k found for sev- 
eral years a welcome resting place in the dwelling of Widow Mary Peck, a 
" mother in Israel," whose memory will long be gratefully cherished in the church 
she loved. Her dwelling was the low red house still standing on East Main street, 
near the Pin Factory. 

Meetings were also held occasionally at the residences of Widow David Wheeler 
at Pine Hole, Mr. Timothy Ball at Bucks Hill, &c. Still later a room was obtain- 
ed for a time in the Franklin House, and for a year or two preceding the erection 
of their first house of worship, meetings were held in the academy, and oc- 
casionally in the old school house, the doors of which were again opened. During 
the whole of this period there was no Sabbath preaching, except occasionally, 
when a local preacher could be obtained. The circuit preachers came around 
once in two weeks preaching on week day evenings. 

Thus for sixteen years the little society struggled on, unpopular with men, but 
enjoying the favor of God; poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith; at no 
time numbering more than twenty or thirty members, and without a convenient 
place of worship ; yet claiming the promise of our Lord, (and often realizing its 
fulfillment,) that " Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there 
am I in the midst of them." 

But the summer and fall of the year 1831 will long be remembered by this 



557 



and other churches of Waterbury as a season of gracious revival. Among the 
Methodists the work commenced under the preaching of Rev. Heman Bangs, then 
preacher in charge of Derby Circuit, (to which Waterbury belonged from 1829 to 
1832,) and continued with great power under his ministry and that of his colleague, 
Rev. Daniel Smith, they visiting Waterbury often during the revival. Many were 
added unto the Lord, and the society was increased from less than thirty in num- 
ber to about one hundred. Such an accession rendered a more commodious 
place of worship necessary, and in January, 1832, it was decided to build a meet- 
ing house fifty feet long and thirty-six feet wide. This building still stands on the 
corner of Union square and Scovill street. It was completed at a cost of about 
$2,700, and was dedicated April 27 th, 1833, Dr. Wilbur Fiske preaching the dedi- 
cation sermon. From this date the church was favored with regularly stationed 
preachers, and though burdened with a heavy debt and increased expenses, and 
often weakened by the removal of its members, continued, under the blessing of 
God, to increase in numbers and prosperity. Its membership had increased in 
1840 to 145, in 1845 to 185, and in 1852 to 245. 

During the year last mentioned, finding enlarged accommodations again neces- 
sary, it was resolved to erect the present tasteful and commodious edifice. It is 
eligibly located on East Main street, a few rods from Center square. It is 75 feet 
deep by 55 feet in width, is built of brick, and cost with the lot on which 
it stands about $20,01)0. It was dedicated March 1st, 1854. Much credit is due 
Rev. N. Mead, preacher in charge at the time the building was commenced, for 
the good judgment and taste with which it was located and planned, and for the 
financial ability displayed in securing the funds for its erection. 

The church now numbers about 260 members, has a well organized Sunday 
school, comprising 35 officers and teachers and over 200 scholars, and although 
still unburdened with wealth has reason to anticipate an increasingly prosperous 
future. It is under the pastoral care of Rev. J. H. Perry, D. D., one of the ablest 
ministers of the New York East Conference. 



Names of Preachers since 1833. 



1833, Rev. Davis Stocking, 



1834, 

1835, 

1836, 

1837, 

1838, 

1839-40, 

1841-42, 

1843, 

1844, 

1845, 

1846, 



W. S. Smith, 
Sanford Washburn, 
H. D. Gossling, 
Wm. McKendree Bangs 
Lorin Clark, 
Chas. Chittenden, 
Wm. C. Hoyt, 
Aaron S. Hill, 
Wm. Gay, 
Moses Blydenburgh, 
Ebenezer 0. Beers and 
Elias Gilbert, circuit 



preachers, (once a month,) and Rev. 
Joseph Smith and Rev. Larmon W. 
Abbott, local preachers, (the balance 
of the time.) 

1847, Same as 1846, excepting Rev. F. 
W. Sizer, in place of Rev. E. 0. 
Beers, 

1848, Rev. Seneca Rowland, 



1849-50, 

1851-2, 

1853-51, 

1855-6, 

1857, 



Ira Abbott, 
Nathaniel Mead, 
Benj. Pilsbury, 
Thomas G. Osborn, 
James II. Perrv, D. D. 



558 HISTORY OF WATEEBURT. 



CATHOLIC CHURCH OF WATERBURY. 

Previous to 1835, there were but few Ciitholics in Waterbury, who were visited 
occasionally from New Haven by Rev. James McDcrmod, Catholic pastor in that 
city. In 1837, Rev. James Smith, also of New Haven, succeeded Father McDer- 
mol in the visititioa of the district. The latter co;itinued to suporintenl the 
affairs of the Catholics till the year 184G, when he was replaced by Rev. Charles 
O'Reilly, who, however, remained but three months. As yet there had been no 
Catholic clergyman permanently located in Waterbury. The congregation was 
too small to support a regular pastor, but having increased in 1847 to about one 
hundred, the Rev. Michael O'Neill was permanently settled there by Dr. Tyler, the 
bishop of the diocese. 

The services of the Catholic church were celebrated for the first time in Water- 
bury in a small house in the east part of the city, owned and occupied by Mr. 
Michael Nevil, who was the first Catholic who settled in the city. This was in 
183.") In this small house, service v/as held for eight years, when it being neces- 
sary to obtain a larger apartment, the school-house in the Gaylord Plain district 
was kindly and gratuitously offered by the then committee. Here the Catholics 
continued to worship for more than a year, when, becoming too numerous to be 
accommodated there, they rented "Washington Hall" for the purpose of divine 
service. In 1847, they purchased the old Episcopal church. From this date to 
the present time, they have continued to increase in numbers, being at present a 
congregation of nearly four thousand, including children. 

A beautiful church is now in course of erection for the use of the Catholics. 
The style is the early Christian Gothic architecture of the twelfth century. It is 
of brick, and will be richly ornamented in the interior. The probable cost is 
$30,(101 >. 

The present and second pastor of Waterbury is the Rev. T. F. Hendricken. It 
is strange that all those who visited Waterbury for missionary purposes are still 
living. 

The rapid increase of the Catholics of Waterbury is attributed by the Catholics 
themselves, as much to the known kindness and urbanity of the native citizens 
towards the stranger, as to the extensive manufacturing establishments which 
require their labor. 

THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

It was organized in April, 1852, with fifty members. Its organization at that 
time resulted from the conviction, which for two years had been entertained by 
the members of the First Congregational church, that the rapidly increasing pop- 
ulation of the place demanded for that portion of it which might be of Congrega- 
tional sentiments more extensive accommodations for public worship than were 
afforded by the house of wor.ship of the First society. 

In April, 1855, a new and commodious house of worship, built by the Second 
society, was consecrated to the name and service of God. Said house affords 
sittings for one thousand persons. 

The number of names enrolled on the catalogue of the church in April, 1857, 
was one hundred and seventy, to seven of which had been appended the sad 



APPENDIX. 559 

mark which indicates decease, and to tvv-enty-six that which indicates removal to 
other churches. The Rev. S. W. Magill was installed pastor of the church in 
May, 1852, and still occupies the pastoral office. 



MANUFACTURINCx IN WATERBURY. 

The manufacturing business of Waterbury was, it may perhaps be said, com- 
menced by Lieut. Ard Wclton. He made guns, u.sing hand power alone, on 
Bucks Hill, during the Revolutionary war or soon after, and furnished some, it ia 
stated, for the government. A few brass muskets were manufactured by him, but 
perhaps only as curiosities. At length, he removed his works to the place on 
Mad River, recently occupied by Sherman Bronson. 

About 1790, James Harrison, a brother of Capt. Lemuel Harrison, began to 
make wooden clocks, by hand, in the lower room of the academy oi school 
house* on the green. He also made shoe heels, reels, flyers and spools for spin- 
ning wheels, window sashes and chests of drawers, and carried on the joinery 
business generally. David Hoadley and Lemuel Porter were in his employment. 
The first clock which I find charged on his books is one to Major Morris, Jan. 1, 
1791, at £3 lis. The second is one charged to Rev. Mark Leavenworth, Feb. 2, 



* The academy referred to stood upon the south marfrin of the present enclosed green, in 
front of Cajit. Harrison's. It was erected to meet a want then felt of accommodations for a 
hi;;her grade of scliools. In the winter of 1784-5, Joseph Badger opened a school for you :ig 
ladies. Till then, no other than the common district schools had been taught in the town. It 
flourished for a time, l>ut did not suivive long. It served, however, to awaken an interest in 
favor of education. An attempt was made to |iut up a building for an academy, by subscription. 
The frame was raised and the outside covered, but here the means provided were exhausted. 
When the enterprise was about to be abandoned, Stephen Bronson, Benjamin Upson, Dr Isaac 
Baldwin sind Ji^hn Curtis pn>pnsed to finish the house on condition they should have the control 
of it till the money they should ndvance was refunded. Thus the building was got in rea<linesa 
for occupation in the fall of 17S5 Two schools were then opened, one for each sex. That for 
girls was under the care of Mr. Oadger above mentioned. David Hale, a brother of Capt. Nathan 
Hale of Revolutionary memory, hxd charge of the boys in the second story. Jeremiah Day, 
late president of Yile College, and Bennet Rmnson were among his pupils. The schools were for 
a time very prosperous, the scholars the first winter numbering about one hundred and fifty. 

After a time the schools ran down, and the academy, a two story wood building, standing in 
the midst of what appeared to be a flag swamp, with a "gambrel roof " and a bell (the first in 
the town) on the summit, was removed. It was removed (before the new meeting house was 
built) to make way for military parades, and placed on the line of the road just west of Wil- 
liam R. Hitchcoik's. Here the upper ro m was used for schools and the lower for religious and 
town meetings. Af erwanls, the building was cut down one story, and the bell hung inside un- 
der the roof. Two rooms were made on the ground floor separated by a swing partition. In 
the west room, a private school was occasionally kept; in the east, a district school. Here, 
more than forty years ago, the town juveniles learned their A B Cs. Here, as in other places, 
the ferule, the birch rod, the dunce block and the closet were the penalties for cutting the 
benches, making up wry fHces and putting crooked pins in the master's chair. 

Twenty years ago, the school house was removed back into the middle of the lot and fitted up 
for dwellings, where it now stands. The bell was removed to the new stone academy which was 
erected abou' I'-.SB, on the ground next east of Capt. Harrison's house. It now hangs high in 
the belfry of the "high schoo " huildin?, where, once more, at stated intervals, it gives out its 
unwelcome warning to reluctant boys and giddy girls. 



560 HISTORY OF WATERBUEY. 

1791, at £4. Capt. Samuel Judd stands debtor for the third, Feb. 19, 1791, £-4. 
The last, a tavcrner, is credited with one gin sling, 7d., and one load of wood, 
2s. 6d. 

A little after 1800, Harrison commenced work in a little shop on the south side 
of North Main street, on the Little Brook. He constructed a water wheel, bring- 
ing the water to it in logs laid across the road. This is said to have been the 
first water wheel for driving manufacturing machinery erected in Waterbury. 
(See Waterbury American.) It furnished the power for making the pinions and 
wheel teeth and other parts of the clock. The lease of the land (about 35 rods) 
on which the shop, water wheel and logs already existed, bears the date of April 
15, 1802. It was given by Stephen Bronson, and expired in seven years. 

After a few years, the business passed into new hands, and w^as transferred to tlie 
site of the lower grist mill, on Mad River, w here a better and more uniform supply 
of water could be had. Subsequently, Harrison removed to New York, where he died 
in reduced circumstances In its new location, the clock business was carried on, 
somewhat extensively, by Col. William Leavenworth. After the war of 181 2, 
however, he became embarrassed and fled the State. He subsequently lived in 
Albany, and died in November, 1838. His factory and the water privilege, after 
a long interval, were purchased, in 1830, by the Bcecher Manufacturing Co., and 
converted into a broadcloth mill. This company failed, and the property is now- 
owned by the American Suspender Co. 

About 1810, the late Mark Leavenworth, in company with Wm. K. Lamson 
and Anson Sperry, 1st, commenced the manufacture of wooden clocks near the 
beginning of the Bucks Hill road, where he afterwards had his boarding 
house. Subsequently, Mr. L. occupied a shop upon the brook farther to the east, 
and extended his business. 

Except some silver buttons that were made by Joseph Hopkins at an early 
date, (see p. 411,) the first metal buttons manufactured in Waterbury are under- 
stood to have been made before 1800, of block tin or pewter, by Henry, Samuel 
and Silas Grilley, brothers, on Bunker Hill. The buttons were cast in moulds, 
the eyes being at first of the same material ; but soon an improvement was intro- 
duced and wire eyes were employed. 

The manufacture of gilt buttons (which laid the foundation of the brass and cop- 
per business) was begun in 1802 by Abel Porter, Daniel Clark, Silas Grilley and Levi 
Porter, \mder the partnership name of Abel Porter & Co. (The manufacturing had 
been previously carried on, to a limited extent and with only partial success, in 
Attleborough, Mass.) The company commenced operations in a building still 
standing on the east side of South Main, near the junction of Meadow street. It took 
about eighteen months to get the business started. Levi Porter soon sold out his 
interest to the other partners. They employed eight or nine hands, all Yankees, 
and made buttons of various forms, convex, concave, and oval, the face only 
being gilded. Gold was employed liberally, sometimes $3 worth being applied to 
a gross, for which they obtained as much as ten or twelve dollars. Their brass 
ingots they carried into the west part of Litchfield, to a place called Bradleyville, 
where it was rolled in an iron mill. The metal was brought back in strips in a 
very rough state, and passed between steel rolls two inches in diameter moved by 
horse power. Thus it was smoothed and finished. All the other work was done 
by hand. The business proved profitable. 



m 




APPENDIX. o61 

In Sept. 1808, David Hay den became a partner, and the company bought the old 
mill place and began to use water power. In August, 1809, Silas Grilley sold out 
to his partners. Two years later, the latter sold out to Leavenworth, Hayden & 
Scovill, as mentioned in the biographical notice of Mr. Scovill, p. 429. 

For the origin of the brass business, see the notice of Dea. Benedict, p. 448. 

I add below some statistical matters relating to the manufacturing interests of 
Waterbury. Most of the companies mentioned are joint stock companies. The 
list is not supposed to be entirely complete, but it will give some notion of the 
magnitude of the manufacturing business of Waterbury. 

Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company; manufacturers of brass in 
sheets, brass and copper wire, brass tubing, German silver, &c. ; successors of 
others who commenced making brass in 1826, wire about 1831, and German silver 
in 1834. The present company was organized in 1843. Present capital, 
$400,000,* 

Waterbury Brass Company; manufacturers of brass in sheets, brass and cop- 
per wire, brass kettles, German silver, &c. The company was organized in April, 
1845, and has a present capital of $300,000. 

Scovill Manufacturing Company ; manufacturers of rolled and sheet brass, 
German silver, plated metal, brass butts, hinges, daguerreotype plates, cases, mat- 
tings, preservers, &c., and gilt buttons. Present capital, $300,000.f 

Brown & Brothers; organized under the joint stock law in 1853; manu- 
facturers of sheet brass and German silver, brass, copper and German silver wire 
and tubing, brass kettles, copper rivets and burrs. Capital, $200,000. 

Holmes, Booth & Haydens. The company manufactures brass, German silver, 
plated metal, daguerreotype plates, mattings and preservers, copper and German 
silver wire, &c., and was organized Feb. 1853. It has a capital of $330,000. 

The five brass and copper companies named in the preceding list, each owning 
a first class mill, (the Waterbury Brass Company owns two mills,) have a capital 
of $1,530,000 ; employ on an average 775 hands ; pay in wages $275,000 per 
annum ; consume 3,600 tons of coal per annum, and produce about $2,550,000 
worth of manufactured goods per annum. 

American Pin Company ; manufacturers of pins and hooks and eyes ; was organ- 
ized in 1846. Present capital, $100,000. The making of hooks and eyes was 
commenced in Waterbury in April, 1836, by Brown & Elton. 

Mattatuck Manufacturing Company. It was- organized in 1847. The compa- 
ny made cloth buttons till 1852. It then began the manufacture of lamp tubes, 
and afterwards of silver and German silver thimbles, brass ferules, umbrella and 
parasol furniture, &c. It employs $40,000 capital. 

Waterbury Hook and Eye Company ; manufacturers of hooks and eyes, gilt 
brass cornices and curtain bands, brass curtain fixtures, copper rivets, brass nails and 
other small brass wares. The company was organized in 1849, and has a capital 
of $55,000. At present it is doubtful whether curtain cornices can be made with 
a profit in this country, no attempt hitherto made having succeeded. There is 

* For a more particular account of the origin and history of the business of this company, see 
the biographical notice of Aaron Benedict, page 443. 

+ For a more particular account of the origin and history of the business of this company, see 
the biographical slietch of J. M. L. Scovill, page 429. 

36 



562 HISTORY OF WATERBDRT. 

reasonable ground to hope, however, that the Waterbury Hook and Eye Company 
will be successful. 

Waterbury Button Company ; niauuf\icturers of metal buttons. It was organ- 
ized in 1849, but the business was commenced in 182-4, by A. Benedict and others. 
It employs $45,000 capital. 

Lane Manufacturing Company ; was organized in January, 1850, and makes 
buttons. Capital, $20,000. 

Waterbury Knitting Company ; manufacturers of shirts, drawers, and half 
hose; was organized in 1850. It commenced with a capital of $100,000, but now 
employs $200,000. , 

Waterbury Jewelry Company; manufacturers of buttons, plated ware, forks, 
spoons, butter knives, &c. ; also, belt clasp.s and other brass goods ; was organized 
in 1851. Present capital, $30,000. 

Blake & Johnson ; manufacturers of hardened steel rolls, machinery to order, 
hair pins, rivets, &c. ; was organized Feb. 1852. Present capital, $16,000. 

Oaktille Company; was organized in 1852, and manufactures solid headed 
pins. Its present capital is $75,000. 

William R. Hitchcock & Company. The company was organized in 1852, and 
manufiicturcs covered buttons and hooks and eyes. The business (that of making 
covered buttons) was commenced in 1837, by Wm. R. Hitchcock, J. M. L. Scovill and 
W. II. Scovill, under the name of W. R. Hitchcock & Co. The present capital is 
$35,000. 

American Ring Company. The company was organized in 1852 ; manufactures 
hollow rings from brass and tin, saddle, harness and carriage hardware, and buttons 
of all kinds; has a capital of $16,000. 

E. Robinson & Son. The company was organized in 1852; makes cloth but- 
tons and has a capital of $4,000. 

Waterbury Buckle Company; organized 1853; manufactures buckles, belt 
clasps, steel ornaments, &c. Present capital, $29,900. 

Waterbury Gas Light Company; organized in 1854; furnishes gas from coal. 
Capital, $100,000; tons of coal consumed per annum, about 500. 

F. M. Perkins & Company ; organized in 1854; manufocturers of ivory and 
steel carriage triumiings, and fine pearl coat and vest buttons. Present capital, 
$20,000. 

Charles W. Johnson. The company was organized in 1855, and produces 
machinery of all kinds. Present capital, $3,000. 

H. A. Matthews ; bought out the Hope Manufacturing Company in 1856, and 
manufactures carriage and harness trimmings. 

American Suspender Company; present organization in Jan. 1857; manu- 
facturers of suspenders. The business was commenced by the Hotchkiss & Merri- 
man Manufacturing Company, in 1843. Present capital, $180,000. 

Farrel Foundry and Machine Company; manufacturers of iron and bra,ss cast- 
ings, machinery, heavy mill gearing, shafts, &c. The company was organized in 
1857, and has a capital of $40,000. The business was commenced by " The 
Foundry Company," in 1851. 

Waterbury Clock Company; manufacturers of clocks and time pieces ; organ- 
ized in 1857 ; capital, $60,000. 

American Flask and Cap Company ; manufacturers of powder flasks, shot belts, 
shot pouches, gun wads, percussion caps, dram flasks, measuring tapes, &c. The 
company was organized in April, 1857, and has a capital of $125,000. 



APPE^TDIX. 563 

Union Knittino Company ; manufacturers of woolen wrappers, drawers, &c., 
having a capital of $50,000. 

City Manufacturing Company; manufacturers of pajtent lamp tops, lamp tubes, 
&c., having a capital of $10,000. 

Hatden Manufacturing Company ; metal button makers, &c., having a capital 
of $8,000. 

D. B. HuRD. He manufactures button eyes, button backs, window bhnds, sta- 
ples, &c., and employs a capital of $10,000. 

B. H. Morse. He manufactures pocket cutlery, and employs a capital of 
$50,000. 

L. Pritchard. He makes buttons, and employs a capital of $10,000. 

All the companies and business firms above named, have an aggregate capital 
of about $2,908,000; employ on an average about 2,730 hands ; pay in wages, per 
annum, about $760,000 ; consume annually about 7,600 tons of hard coal, and 
manufacture goods to the amount of about $i,300,000 per year. 



Waterbury belonged to Hartford County till May, 1728, when it was annexed 
to New Haven .County. 

Till Oct. 1719, the probate business of Waterbury was done in the County 
Court of Hartford. At that time, the Woodbury District was formed and Water- 
bury annexed to it. In May, 1779, Waterbury was made into a distinct district. 
The district now comprehends Waterbury, Wolcott, Middlebury and Naugatuck. 
Plymouth was made a new district in 1833, and Watertown in 1834. Prospect at 
present belongs to the Cheshire district, and Oxford is a district by itself. 

Judges of Probate of the District of Waterbury, and the dates of their 

Appointment. 
1779, Joseph Hopkins. 1843, Alfred Blackman. 

1801, John Kingsbury. 1844, Norton J. Buel. 

1830, Joel Hinman. 1846, Willard Spencer. 

1840, Norton J. Buel. 1847, Norton J. Buel. 

1842, John Peck. 
Since 1849, the Probate judges have been chosen by the people. 

Recorders or Town Clerks of Waterburi/, ivith the dates of their Appoirdmetit. 





John Stanley. 


1787, 


William Leavenworth. 


1696, 


Thomas Judd, Jr. 


1793, 


John Kingsbury. 


1709, 


Dea. Thomas Judd. 


1804, 


Abner Johnson. 


1712, 


John Hopkins. 


1806, 


Ashley Scott. 


1713, 


John Judd. 


1812, 


John Kingsbury. 


1717, 


William Judd. 


1817, 


Ashley Scott. 


1721, 


John Southmayd. 


1831, 


Elisha S. Abernethy. 


1755, 


Thomas Clark. 


1837, 


Willard Spencer. 


1764, 


Ezra Bronson. 


1839, 


Charles Scott. 


1782, 


Michael Bronson. 


1840, 


Norton J. Buel. 


1784, 


Asahel Clark. 


1841, 


Solomon B. Minor. 



564 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



Waterbury Lists. 



Year. 



Persons. 



Estate. 



1690, 


37, 


£1,893. 




1739, 


£ 8,830, lis. 


1691, 


43, 


1,859. 




1740, 


9,446, 9. 


1692, 


43, 


1,640. 




1741, 


9,491, 5. 


1693, 


46, 


1,630. 




1742, 


10,174, 3. 


1694, 


43, 


1,554. 




1743, 


10,693, 0, 6d. 


1695, 


^ 






1744, 


11,209, 6, 9- 


1696, 


4o', 


1,562. 




1745, 


12,492, 7. 


1697, 


42, 


1,640. 




1746, 


13,380. 


1698, 


49, 


1,742. 




1747, 


13.790, 18. 


1699, 


47, 


1,700. 




1748, 


15,277, 1, 6. 


1700, 


48, 


1,871. 




1749, 


15,674, 2, 5. 


1701, 


50, 


1,994. 




1750, 


16,910, 3, 3. 


1702, 


52, 


2,050. 




1751, 


17,762, 10, 6. 


1703, 


57, 


2,145. 




1752, 


18,632, 14, 10. 


1704, 


52, 


2,261. 




1753, 


17,635, 18, 7. 


1705, 


52, 


2,047. 




1754, 


20,953, 15, 3. 


1706, 


55, 


2,165, 


10s. 


1755, 


20,862, 13, 3. 


1707, 


49, 


1,958. 




1756, 


21,8.37, 17, 6. 


1708, 


50, 


2,108. 




1757, 


23,14.5, 13, 8. 


1709, 


43, 


2,119. 




1758, 


23,204, 0, 6. 


1710, 




2,159. 




1759, 


24,395, 8, 5. 


1711, 




2,218. 




1760, 


23,853, 11, 6. 


1712, 




2,415. 




1761, 


25,208, 18. 


1713, 




2,154. 




1762, 


26,107, 19, 5. 


1714, 




2,070, 


lis. 


1763, 


25,304, 10, 4. 


1715, 




2,115, 


16. 


1764, 


25,939, 10,- 9. 


1716, 




2,289. 


8. 


1765, 


28,101, 4, 8. 


1717, 




2,414, 


10. 


1766, 


27,959, 17, 3. 


1718, 




2,599, 


11. 


1767, 


30,660, 17, 9. 


1719, 




2,646, 




1768, 


32,291, 14, 6. 


1720, 




2,757, 


5. 


1769, 


33,386, 8, 4. 


1721, 




2,762, 


11. 


1770, 


35,364, 19, 10. 


1722, 




3,077, 


15. 


1771, 


35,806, 2, 5. 


1723, 




3,427, 


11. 


1772, 


35,110, 5, 1. 


1724, 




3,573, 


11. 


1773, 


36,146, 7, 5. 


1725, 




3,812, 


6. 


1774, 


39,826, 18. 


1726, 




4,002, 


7, 8d. 


1775, 


41,243, 2, 9. 


1727, 




4,234, 


11, 6. 


1776, 


37,756, 3, 6. 


1728, 




4,534, 


18. 


1777, 


40,465, 5, 3. 


1729, 




4,879, 


15. 


1778, 






1730, 




6,024, 


15. 


1779, 


. 38,604, 18, 9. 


1731, 




6,392, 


15. 


1780, 


42,499, 6, 6. 


1732, 
1733, 




6,742. 
7,146, 




1781, 
1782, 






19. 


19,784, 12, Si. 


1734, 




7,951, 


8. 


1783, 


20,634, 6. 


1735, 








1784, 


19,230. 






1736, 




8,092. 




1786, 


17,015, 5. 


1737, 




8,377, 


13. 


1788, 


16,795, 14, 10. 


1738, 




8,405, 


2. 







Year. 



565 



A List of the Polls and Ratable Estate of Waterhurx 



(The polls of persons over 


70 years of 


age were not taxable aftei 


May, 1721.) 


Gideon Allyn, 


£74, 


12s. 


Isaac Hopkins, 


£49, 


12s 


John Andruss, 


85. 




Stephen Hopkins, Jr., 


82. 




Nathaniel Arnold, 


85, 


2. 


Daniel How, 


30, 


6. 


Nathaniel Arnold, Jr., 


46. 




James Hull, 


44. 




William Andruss, 


22. 




Samuel Hickox, 


63, 


18. 


John Alcock, 


45, 


4. 


Timothy Hopkins, 


151. 










Wid. Mary Hickox, 


151, 


8. 


Samuel Barnes, 


66, 


2. 


Gideon Hickox, 


60, 


12. 


Ebenezer Bronson, 


89, 


17. 


William Hickox, 


97, 


18. 


Joseph Bronson, 


69, 


6. 








Ebenezer Baldwin, 


34, 


8. 


Thomas Judd, 


6, 


14. 


Thomas Bronson, Jr., 


54. 




Thomas Judd, 


45, 


10. 


Lieut. Thomas Bronson, 


105, 


14. 


Ebenezer Judd, 


22, 


19. 


Moses Bronson, 


68. 




John Judd, 


72. 




John Bronson, Jr., 


105. 




Silas Johnson, 


39, 


12. 


James Brown, 


127. 




Robert Johnson, 


43, 


8. 


James Baldwin, 


65, 


6. 


John Johnson, 


9. 




Thomas Blakeslee, 


63, 


16. 


William Judd, 


103, 


4. 


Lieut. John Bronson, 


161. 




Joseph Judd, 


38, 


4. 


John Barnes, 


65, 


2. 


Samuel Judd, 


30, 


18. 


Thomas Barnes, 


60, 


~i. 








James Blakeslee, 


63, 


18. 


Stephen Kelsey, 


46, 


14. 


Ephraim Bissell, 


26, 


10. 


Jonathan Kelsey, 


30. 




Jonathan Baldwin, 


59, 


9. 








Josiah Bronson, 


34, 


18. 


Joseph Lewis, 


153. 




Isaac Bronson, 


77, 


4. 


Samuel Lewis, 


41. 




Isaac Bronson, Jr., 


50, 


8. 


John Lewis, 


42, 


4. 


Samuel Bronson, 


47, 


12. 








Nathan Beard, 


64. 




Amos Matthews, 


35. 










Thomas Matthews, 


49, 


2. 


Isaac Castle, 


41. 




Nathaniel Merrel, 


2.«. 




Daniel Curtiss, 


33. 




Benjamin More, 


21. 




Henry Cook, 


66. 




George Nichols, 


71, 


10. 


Thomas Clark, 


116. 










Caleb Clark, 


47, 


10. 


Nathan Prindle, 


18. 




Samuel Camp, 


93, 


2. 


Thomas Porter, 


54. 




Nathan Coxwell, 


21. 




Ebenezer Porter, 


41 










Daniel Porter, 


52, 


6. 


Ebenezer Elwell, 


74. 




John Punderson, 




12. 








James Porter, 


62^ 


14. 


Jonathan Foot, 


62. 




Timothy Porter, 


30, 


6. 


Barnabas Ford, 


57, 


10. 


James Prichard, 


65, 


4. 


Thomas Foot, 


94. 




Jeremiah Peck, 


69, 


4. 


Sanniel Frost, 


32. 




Jonathan Prindle, 


95, 


10 


Gershom Fulford, 


53, 


16. 


Phineas Royce, 


31. 




Jonathan Garnsey, 


78, 


12. 


Ebenezer Richards, 


38, 


10. 


John Garnsey, 


52. 




Thomas Richards, 


95, 


12. 


Nathaniel Gunn, 


117, 


15. 


Ebenezer Richason, 


92. 










John Richason, 


43, 


6. 


Stephen Hopkins, 


181. 




Hezekiah Rew, 


49, 


10. 


Thomas Hickox, 


77, 


14. 


Obadiah Richards, 


63, 


4. 


John How, 


41, 


12. 


Mary Richards, 


14. 




John Humaston, 


39. 










Nathan Hubbard, 


26, 


10. 


John Scovill, 


80, 


6. 



566 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



Jonathan Scott, } 
sonofEdminul, ^ 


£63, 16s. 


John Welton, 


£ 6. 


John Warner, tailor, 


98, Is. 


Gcrslioni Scott, 


58, 8. 


Dr. John Warner, 


63, 2. 


Eleazer Scott, 


59. 


Richard Welton, Jr., 


50, 17. 


Samuel Scott, Sen., 


83, 6. 


Daniel Williams, 


42, 12. 


John Sutliff, 


91, 4. 


Eliakim Welton, 


25, 6. 


John Sutliff, Jr., 


22, 18. 


Richard Welton, 


63. 


Jonathan Scott, 


36, 12. 


Thomas Welton, 


25. 


Jonathan Scott, Jr., 


64. 


George Welton, 


65. 


Daniel Scott, 


23, 12. 


Ebenezer Warner, ) 
son of John, ) 


26 4. 


Joseph Smith, 


22. 




John Smith, 


97, 4. 


Stephen Welton, Jr., 


32. 


James Smith, 


29. 


James Williams, 


22. 


Edward Scovili, 


40, 10. 


Benjamin AVarner, 


56; 18. 


John Scott, 


23, 18. 


Samuel Warner, ) 
son of Daniel, f 


55, 8. 


Stephen Scott, 


38. 


Ol.iidiaii Scott, 


37, 18. 


Samuel Warner, 


18, 4. 


William Scovili, 


72, 10. 


Ebenezer Warner, 3d, 


35. 


^David Scott 


65, 18. 


Joseph Weed, 


40. 


Samuel Scott, ) 
son of George, J 


42, 18. 


Ebenezer Welton, 


26. 


Ebenezer Warner, 
son of Daniel, 


39, 12. 


William Scott, 


39. 


"^ 




Stephen Welton, Sen., 


55, 4. 


Samuel Thomas, 


34, 4. 


Abraham Warner, 


41. 


Samuel Towner, 


88. 


Jonas Weed, 


35. 


Josiah Terrill, 


66, 17. 


Obadiah Warner, 


47. 


Caleb Thomson, 


40, 12. 


John Weed, 


40, 7. 


Stephen Upson, 


114. 


Ephraini Warner, 


28, 12. 


Population oi 


• Waterbury. 




1688, about 


180. 


1790, 


2,937. 


1694, 


165.* 


1800, 


3,256. 


1713, " 


180. 


1810, 


2,874. 


1727, 


350. 


1820, 


2,822. 


1734, 


450. 


1830, 


3,070. 


1737, 


900. 


1840, 


3,668. 


1749, . 


1,500. 


1845, 


3,395. 


1756, 


1,829. 


1850, 


5,137. 


1774, 


3,536. 






PoPtTLATION 


of Watkutc 


WN, (incorporated 1780.) 




1790, 3,170. 


1820, 


1,439. 1840, 


1,442. 


1800, 1,615. 


1830, 


1,500. i850. 


1,533. 


1810, 1,714. 








Population 


of Plymoui 


II, (incorporated 1795.) 




1800, 1,791. 


1820, 


1,758. 1840, 


2,205. 


1810, 1,882. 


1830, 


2,064. 1850, 


2,568. 


POPULATIO 


»J OF WOLCOl 


rx, (incorporated 1796.) 




1800, 948. 


1820, 


943. 1840, 


633. 


1810, 952. 


1830, 


844. 1850, 


603. 



• The Wadsworth manuscript says that in 1694, " Waterbury was a small town, though very 
compact. It contained twenty-five families."— [Barber's Historical Collections of Connecticut, 
p. 2G5.] 



APPENDIX. 



567 



1800, 
1810, 



1830, 



Population of Oxford, (incorporated 1798.) 
1,400. I 18-20, 1,683. I 1840, 

1,453. I 1830, 1,762. | 1850, 

PopiTLATioN OF MiDDLEBURY, (incorporated 1807.) 
847. I 1830, 816. I 1850, 

838. I 1840, 761. | 

Population of Prospect, (incorporated 1827.) 
651. 1840, 548. 1850, 

Population of Naugatuck, (incorporated 1844.) 
1850, 1720. 



1,626. 
1,562. 



674. 



Commissioners for Waterbury 
May. 
1690, Ens. Thomas Judd. 

91, Ens. Thomas .Judd. 

92, Ens. Thomas Judd. 

93, Ens.-Thomas Judd. 



1694 
95 



Ens. Thomas Judd. 

Ens. Thomas Judd. 

Ens. Thomas Judd. 

97 j Mr. Thomas Judd. 



Justices of the Peace. 



1701, 

3! 

4, 

5, 

7, 

8, 

9, 

10, 

1^, 

15, 

16, 

17, 

18, 

19, 

20, 

21, 

22, 

23, 

24, 

25, 



Lt. Thomas Judd. 

Lt. Thomas Judd. 

Lt. Thomas Judd. 

[Ens. Timothy Stanley ?] 

Ens. [or Dea.] Thomas Judd. 

Thomas Judd, Esq. 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Dea. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Thomas Judd, 

John Hoplcins. 

Capt. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. John Hopkins. 

Capt. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. John Hoplvins. 

Capt. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. John Hopkins. 

Capt. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. Jolm Hopkins. 

[Record worn.] 

Sir. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Capt. Timotliy Hopkins. 

Mr. Timothy Hopkins. 

Timothy Hopkins, 

Thomas Clark. 

Timothy Hopkins, 



173 



Thomas Clark. 

38, Timothy Hopkins, 
Thomas Clark. 

39, Timothy Hopkins, 
Thomas Clark. 

40, Timothy Hopkins, 
Thomas Clark, 
John Southmayd. 

41, Timothy Hopkins, 
Thomas Clark, 
John Southmayd. 

42, Timothy Hopkins, 
Thomas Clark, 
Samuel Hickox. 

43, Samuel Hickox. 

44, Samuel Hickox. 

45, Samuel Hickox. 

46, Thomas Clark. 

47, John Southmayd, 
Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews. 
John Southmayd, 
Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews. 
John Southmayd, 
Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews. 

50, John Southmayd, 
Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews. 

51, John Southmayd, 
Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews. 
John Southmavd, 
Thomas Clark,' 
Thomas Matthews, 
Daniel Southmayd. 
John Southmayd, 
Thomas Clark, 



48 



49 



52, 



53, 



568 



HISTORY OF WATEEBURY. 



1753, Thomas Matthews, 
Daniel Southuiayd. 

54, John Southinayd, 
Thomas Chirk, 
Thomas Matthews. 

55, Thomas Clark, 
John Southmayd, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Thomas Brouson, Jr. 

56, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Thomas Bronson. 

57, Thomas Matthews, 
Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Bronson, Jr. 

58, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Bronson, 
Thomas Matthews. 

59, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Thomas Bronson. 

60, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
William Hoadley. 

61, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
John Hopkins. 

62, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Huniaston. 

63, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Huniaston. 

64, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Huniaston. 

65, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Huniaston, 
Timothy Judd. 

66, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Huniaston, 
Timothy Judd. 

67, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Huniaston, 
Timothy Judd, 
Stephen Upson. 

68, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Humaston, 
Timothy Judd, 
Stephen Upson. 

69, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Humaston, 



1769, Timothy Judd. 

70, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Caleb Huniaston, 
Timothy Judd, 
Jonathan Baldwin. 

71, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Timothy Judd, 
Caleb Huniaston, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis. 

72, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Timothy Judd, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis. 

73, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Timothy Judd, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis. 

74, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Timothy Judd, 
Samuel Lewis. 

75, Thomas Matthews, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Timothy Judd, 
Samuel Lewis. 

76, 

77, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Timothy Judd, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis. 

78, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Timothy Judd, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis. 

79, Thomas Clark, 
Thomas Matthews, 
Timothy Judd, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Phineas Royce. 

SO, Thomas Clark, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Ezra Bronson. 

81, Thomas Clark, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Ezra Bronson. 

82, Thomas Clark, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 



APPENDIX. 



500 



1782 Ezra Bronson. 

83, Thomas Clark, 
Jonathiin Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Ezra Bronson, 

84, Thomas Clark, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Ezra Bronson. 

85, Thomas Clark, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 



nss, Samuel Lewis, 
Ezra Bronson. 

86, Thomas Clark, 
Jonathan Baldwin, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Ezra Bronson. 

87, Thomas Clark, 
Samuel Lewis, 
Ezra Bronson, 
John Welton. 



Deputies to the General Covrt. 



1689, Ens. Thomas Judd. 

90, Lt. John Stanlev, 

91, Ens. Thomas Jiidd, 

92, Ens. Thomas Judd, 

93, Lieut. John Stanley, 

94, Ens. Thomas Judd. 

95, Sergt. Timothy Stanley. 
90, Lieut. Thomas Judd, 

Ens. Timothy Stanley, 

97, Lieut. Thomas Juddj 
Sergt. Isaac Bronson, 

98, Lieut. Thomas Judd, 

99, Ens. Timothy Stanley, 
1700, Lieut Thomas Judd, " 

1, Lieut. Thomas Judd, 
Dea. Thomas Judd, 

2, Lieut. Thomas Judd, 
Dea. Judd, 

^ 3, Dea. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Benjamin Barnes, 

4, Mr. John Hopkins, 

5, Ens. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Upson, 

6, Mr. Thomas Judd, 

7, 



8, IVIr. Timothy Stanley, 
Mr. Thomas Judd, 

9, Mr. Timothy Stanley, 
Mr. Thomas Judd, 

10, Mr. John Hopkins, 
Mr. Stephen Upson, 

11, Mr. Timothy Stanley, 
Mr. John Hopkins, 

12, Mr. John Hopkins, 
Mr. Abraham Andrews 

13, Mr. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. John Hopkins, 

14, Mr. John Hopkins, 
Mr. John Scovill, 

15, Mr. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. John Hopkins, 



October Session. 

Ens. Thomas Judd. 
Ens. ThoiTias Judd. 
Ens. Thomas Judd. 
Ens. Thomas Judd. 
Timothy Stanley. 

Lieut, Thomas Judd, 

Dea. Thomas Judd. 

Lieut. Thomas Judd, 

Dea. Thomas Judd. 

Lieut. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Lieut. Thomas Judd. 

Lieut. Thomas Judd, 

Sergt. Isaac Bronson. 

Lieut. Thomas Judd, 

Dea. Thomas Judd. 

Ens. [or Dea.] Thomas Judd, 

Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. Thomas Judd, Jr. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, 

Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, Senr. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, Junr. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. Thomas Judd, Junr. 

Mr. Timothy Stanley, 

Mr. John Hopkins. 

Mr. Timothy Stanley, 

Mr. John Hopkins. " 

Mr. John Hopkins, 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Timothy Stanley, 

Mr. Thomas Judd. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. Stephen Upson. 

Mr. John Hopkins, 

Mr. Joseph Lewis. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. Ephraim Warner. 

Mr. Thomas Judd, 

Mr. John Hopkins. 



570 



HISTORY OF WATERBURY. 



1716, 

18, 
19, 
20, 
21, 

23, 
24, 
25, 
26, 
27, 
28, 
29, 
30, 
31, 
32, 
33, 
34, 
35, 
36, 
37, 
38, 
39, 



May Session. 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Lieut. John Hopkins. 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner, 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. John Hopkins, 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner, 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner, 
Mr. Jeremiah Peck, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner, 
Mr. Riehard Welton, 
Mr. John Richards, 
Mr. Lsaac Bronson, 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Thomas Hickox, 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. John Hopkins, 
Mr. Jolin Hopkins, 
Mr. Tliomas Iliekox, 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 

capt. William Hickox, 
Mr. Timothy Hopkins, 
Mr. AVilliani Judd, 
Mr. Timothy Hopkins, 
Mr. William Judd, 
Capt. William Hickox, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis, 
Capt. William Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. William Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
5Jr. Joseph Lewis, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 



Capt. William Judd, 
Mr. Timothy Hopkins, 

40, Mr. John Southniayd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 

41, Mr. John Southmayd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 

42, Mr. John Southmayd, 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 

43, Mr. John Soutluuayd, 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 

44, Mr. John Southmayd, 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 

45, Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. John Scovill, 



October Session. 



Capt, Thomas Judd, 
Mr. John HopTvins. 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. Timothy Stanley. 
Capt. Thomas Judd, 
Mr. John Hopkins. 
Mr. Jeremiah Peck, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner. 
Mr. John Hopkins, 
Mr. William Hickox. 
Mr. Thomas Hickox. 

Mr. John Bronson, 
Mr. Thomas Hickox. 
Mr. Thomas Hickox. 

Mr. Joseph Lewis, 
Mr. Thomas Hickox. 
Mr. John Hopkins, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis. 
Mr. Timothy Hopkins, 
Mr. Thomas Clark. 
Mr. Thomas Clark. 

Mr. William Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Upson. 
Mr. William Judd, 
Mr. Timothy Hopkins. 
Joseph Lewis, 
Stephen Hopkins. 
Mr. Joseph Lewis, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins. 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Isaac Barnes. 
Mr. Timothy Hopkins, 
Mr. Samuel Brown. 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis. 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Thomas Clark. 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis. 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis. 
Capt. William Judd, 
Mr. Timothy Hopkins. 
Mr. John Southmayd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins. 
Mr. John Southmayd, 
Mr. Joseph Lewis. 
Mr. John Southmayd, 
Capt. Samuel Hickox. 
Mr. John Southmayd, 
Capt. Stephen Upson. 
Mr. John Southmayd. 

Mr. Thomas Matthews. 



APPENDIX. 



571 



1146, 
47, 
48, 
49, 
50, 
51, 
52, 
53, 
54, 
55, 

56, 

57, 

58, 
59, 
60, 



/ 



May Session. 
Mr. Joseph Bronson, 
Mr. Timothy Judd, 
Capt Timothy Hoplvius, 

Capt. Timothy Hopkin.s, 
Mr. James Bahhvin, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkius, 
Mr. Timothy Jiuld, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 
Mr. Tiniotliy Judd, 
Capt. Daniel Sonthmayd, 
Capt. Daniel Southmayd, 
Mr. Jonathan Garnsey, 
Capt. Daniel Southmayd, 
Mr. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. John Southmayd, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. Gideon Hotchkiss, 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Gideon Hotchkiss, 
Mr. John Lewis, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. John Lewis, 
Capt Timothy Judd, 
Mr. John Lewis, 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Upson, Jr. 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Stephen Upson, 
Mr. Jonathan Baldwin, 

Capt. Jonathan Baldwin, 
Mr. Samuel Hickox, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin, 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin, 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin, 
Mr. Josei)h Hopkins, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin, 



October Session. 
Capt. Timothy Hopkins. 

Capt. Timothy Hopkins, 
Mr. James Baldwin. 
Capt. Timothy Hopkins, 
Capt. Daniel Southmayd. 
Capt. Daniel Southmayd, 
Mr. Timothy Judd. 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Timothy Judd. 
Capt. Daniel Southmayd, 
Mr. John Warner. 
Capt. Daniel Southmayd, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner. 
Capt. Daniel Southmayd, 
Mr. Timothj Judd. 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins, 
Mr. Caleb Uumaston. 
Mr. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Thomas Bronson, Jr. 
Mr. Gideon Hotchkiss. 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. Gideon Hotchkiss. 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Stephen Hopkins. 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews. 
Mr. Thomas Matthews, 
Mr. John Lewis. 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Capt. George Nichols. 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. John Lewis. 
Mr. Ephraim Warner, 
Mr. Stephen Upson, Jr. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Ephraim Warner. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Stephen Upson. 
Mr. Jonathan Baldwin, 
Mr. Samuel Lewis. 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin, 
Mr. Samuel Hickox. 
Mr. Samuel Hickox, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin. 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Thomas Matthews. 
Capt. Timothy Judd, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Timothy Judd. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Jonathan Baldwin. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson. 



572 



HISTORY OF WATERBURT. 



Slay Session. 
1776, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson, 

77, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson, 

78, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson, 

79, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson, 

80, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Jotham Curtiss, 

81, Mr. Abner Johnson, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 

82, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Abner Johnson. 

83, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Col. Phineas Porter, 

84, Mr. EH Bronson, 
Capt. John Wehon, 

85, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton, 

86, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton, 

87, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton, 

88, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton, 

89, Capt. Isaac Bronson, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 

90, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton, 

91, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. John Welton, 

92, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Isaac Bronson, 

93, Mr. Jcseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Isaac Bronson, Jr. 

94, Mr. Isaac Baldwin, 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 

95, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 

Mr. Aaron Benedict, % 

96, Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. John Kingsbury, 

97, Mr. John Kingsbury, 

Mr. William Leavenworth, 

98, Mr. John Kingsbury, 
Mr. Jared Byington, 

99, Mr. RichardWelton, 
Mr. Ethel Bronson, 

1800, Mr. Richard Welton, 
Mr. Ethel Bronson, 

1, Mr. John Kingsbury, 
Mr. Ard Welton, 

2, Mr. Ard Welton, 
Mr. Ethel Bronson, 

3, Mr. John Kingsbury, 
Mr. Ethel Bronson * 



October 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson. 
Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Ezra Bronson. 
Capt. Jotham Curtiss, 
Thomas Fenn. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Samuel Lewis. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins. 



Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Eli Bronson. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Capt. John Welton. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. John Welton. 
Mr. Isaac Bronson, 
Mr. Isaac Baldwin. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. John Welton. 
Mr. Isaac Baldwin, 
Mr. John Lewis. 
Mr. Joseph Hopkins, 
Mr. Aaron Benedict. 
Mr. John Kingsbury, 
Mr. William Leavenworth. 
Mr. John Kingsbury, 
Mr. Jared Byington. 
Mr. Jared Byington, 
Mr. Richard' Welton. 
Mr. Richard Welton, 
Mr. Ethel Bronson. 
Mr. Ard Welton, 
Mr. James Hcovill. 
Mr. John Kingsbury, 
Mr. Ethel Bronson. 
Mr. Ard Welton, 
Mr. Abner Johnson. 
Mr. Abner Johnson, 
Mr. Timothy Gibbard. 



* la the Connecticut Courant of the time, Ethel Bronson and James Scovill are named as the 
epresentatives of Wateibury in May, 1803. 



bVS 



May Session. 
1804, Mr. Abner JoHnson, 
Mr. Timothy Gibbard, 

5, Mr. Eli Bronson, 
Mr. John Kingsbury, 

6, Noah Baldwin, 
Asahel Bronson, 

7, John Kingsbury, 
Eli Bronson, 

8, Thomas M. Culver, 
Nirarod Hull, 

9, Giles Brocket, 
John Kingsbury, 

10, Noah Baldwin, 
John Kingsbury, 

11, Daniel Steele, 
Andrew Adams, 

1 2, John Kingsbury, 
Truman Porter, 

13, John Kingsbury, 
Truman Porter, 

14, Cyrus Clark. 
Frederick Hotchkiss, 

15, Andrew Adams, 
William K. Lamson, 

16, Andrew Adams, 
James Scovill, 

lY, Daniel Steele, 
Timothy Gibbard, 

18, James M. L. Scovill, 
Timothy Gibbard, 



October Session. 
Mr. John Kingsbury, 
Mr. Eli Bronson. 
Mr. Timothy Gibbard, 
Noah Baldwin. 
Asahel Bronson, 
Nimrod Hull. 
Thomas M. Culver, 
Nimrod Hull. 
Giles Brocket, 
Andrew Adams. 
Andrew Adams, 
Giles Brocket. 
Noah Baldwin, 
Andrew Adams. 
Daniel Steele, 
Andrew Adams. 
John Kingsbury, 
Truman Porter. 
John Kingsbury, 
Truman Porter. 
Cyrus Clark, 
Frederick Hotchkiss. 
James Scovill, 
Truman Porter. 
Andrew Adams, 
Daniel Steele. 
James M. L. Scovill, 
Timothy Gibbard. 
Ashley Scott, 
Andrew Adams. 



Watertown Rkpresentatives. 



May Session. 



1780, 



81, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Maj. Jesse Curtis, 

82, Capt. Samuel Hickqx, 
Capt. Phineas Royce. 

83, Capt. Thomas Feiin, 
Capt. Nathaniel Barnes, 

84, Capt. Samuel Hickox, 
Capt. Nathaniel Barnes, 

85, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Maj. David Smith, 

86, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Col. David Smith, 

87, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Daniel Potter, 

88, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Col. David Smith, 

89, Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. Wait Smith, 

90, Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Col. David Smith, 

91, Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. David Smith, 



October Session 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. Jesse Curtis. 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Phineas Royce. 
Capt. Thomas Fenn. 
Capt. Nathaniel Barnes. 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Nathaniel Barnes. 
Capt. Samuel Hickox, 
Maj. David Smith. 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Maj. David Smith. 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Daniel Potter. 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Capt. Daniel Potter. 
Capt. Thomas Fenn, 
Col. David Smith. 
Col. David Smith, 
Capt. Daniel Potter. 
Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. David Smith. 
Mr. Elijah Woodward, 
Mr. David Smith, 



574 



HISTORY OF AVATERBURY. 



1792, 

93, 

94, 

95, 

9fi, 
97, 
98, 
99, 
1800, 
1, 



May Session. 
Mr. Elijah Woodward, 
Mr. David Siiiitii, 
Mr. Thomu.s.Fenn, 
Mr. Joseph A. Wright, 
Mr. Thomas PY'iin, 
Mr. Joseph A. Wright, 
Mr. Aner Bradley, 
Mr. Joseph A. Wright, 
Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. Aner Bradley, 
Jtlr. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. 8amuel W. Southmayd, 
Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. Thomas Feun, 
Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. Samuel W. Southmayd, 
Mr. Samuel W. Southmayd, 
Thomas Fenn, 
Samuel W. Southmayd, 
Thomas Fenn, 
Samuel W. Southmayd, 
John H. Deforest, 
Garret Smith, 
Samuel W. Southmayd, 
Samuel W. Southmayd, 
Garret Smith, 
Garret Smith, 
John H. Deforest, 
David Baldwin, 
Samuel Elton, 
Amos Baldwin, 



October Session. 
Mr. Elijah Woodward, 
Mr. Daniel Potter. 
Mr. Thomas Fenn, 
Mr. Jose|)h A. Wright. 
Mr. Elijah Woodward. 

Mr. Thomas Fenn. 

Mr. Aner Bradley. 

Mr. Thomas Fenn. 

Mr. Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Mr. Thomas Fenn. 

Mr. Thomas Fenn. 

Mr. Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Mr. Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Mr. Thomas Fenn. 

Mr. Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Samuel W. Southmayd. 

John H. Deforest. 

Garret Smith. 

Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Samuel W. Southmayd. 

Garret Smith. 

John H. Deforest. 

John H. Deforest. 

David Baldwin. 

Samuel Elton. 

Amos Baldwin. 



May Session. 
1795, 

m, Mr. David Smith, 

97, Mr. David Smith, 

98, Mr. David Smith, 

99, Mr. Daniel Potter, 
Mr. Daniel Potter, 
Mr. Daniel Potter, 

2, Mr. Lake Potter, 

3, Mr. David Smith, 

4, Mr. David Smith, 

5, Mr. David Smith, 

6, Lake Potter, 

7, Lake Potter, 

8, Lake Potter, 

9, Daniel Potter, 

10, Daniel Potter, 

11, Daniel Potter, 

12, Lake Potter, 

13, Lake Potter, 

14, Calvin Butler, 

15, Jaeob Hemjngway, 

16, Calvin Butler, 

17, Calvin Butler, 

18, Calvin Butler, 



1800, 
1, 



Plymouth Representatives. 

October Session. 
Mr. David Smith. 
Mr. David Sniitli. 
Mr. David Smith. 
Mr. Lake Potter. 
Mr. Daniel Potter. 
Mr. Daniel Potter. 
Mr. David Smith. 
Mr. Lake Potter. 
Mr. David Smith. 
Mr. David Smith. 
Mr. David Smith. 
Lake Potter. 
Lake Potter. 
Lake Potter. 
Daniel Potter. 
Daniel Potter. 
David Smith. 
David Smith. 
Lake Potter. 
Calvin Butler. 
Jacob Ilemingwav. 
Calvin Butler. 
Frederick Stanley. 
Jacob Hemingway 



APPENDIX. 



)75 



MlDDLEBURT REPRESENTATIVES 





May Session. 


October Session. 


m, 


Isaac Bronson, 


Aaron Benedict. 


9, 


Aaron Bene diet. 


David Thompson. 


10, 


Aaron Benedict, 


Aaron Benedict. 


11, 


Eli Bronson, 


Eli Bronson. 


12, 


Eli Bronson, 


Eli Bronson. 


13, 


Eli Bronson, 


Eli Bronson. 


1^, 


David Thompson, 


Nathaniel Richardson. 


15, 


Nathaniel Richardson, 


Philo Bronson. 


16, 


Philo Bronson, 


Nathaniel Richardson. 


17, 


Philo Bronson, 


Philo Bronson. 


18, 


Philo Bronson, 


Philo Bronson. 



The members from Waterbury of the Convention of Connecticut, in Jan. 1788, 
to ratify the Constitution of the United States, were, Joseph Hopkins and John 
Welton. They both voted in fiivor of the Constitution. 



Eplscopalians of Nortiibury 
learned to meet and orr/ati 

Solomon Allen, 

Abner Blakeslee, 

Titus Barnes, 

Asher Blakeslee, 

Eli Blakeslee, 

Hosea Blin, 

Moses Blakeslee, 

Samuel Blakeslee, 

Philo Bradley, 

Amos Bronson, 

Ebenezer Bradley, 

Noah Blakeslee, 

Jude Blakeslee, 
^ Ebenezer Bradley, Jr. 

John Brown, 

Thomas Blakeslee, 

Wid. Abigail Blakeslee, 

Joab Camp, 

Abishai Castle, 

Zadoc Curtis, 

Amasa Castle, 

Ezra Dodge, 

Samuel Fenn, 

Ebenezer Ford, 
.' Jesse Fenn, 

Lemuel Fancher, 

Cephas Ford, 

Barnabas Ford, 

Isaac Fenn, 



IN October, 1*784, beitig the Names of the Persons 
ize themselves into a Society referred to p. 312. 

Enos Ford, 
Daniel Ford, 
Amos Ford, 
Cornelius Graves, 
Benjamin Graves, 
Simeon Graves, 
Zaccheus How, 
Eliphalet Hartshorn, 
Eliphalet Hartshorn, Jr., 
Jesse Humaston, 
David Ludington, 
Zebulon Mosher, 
Chauncey Moss, 
Jacob Potter, 
Samuel Peck, Jr., 
Samuel Potter, 
Gideon Seymour, 
David Shelton, 
Ezekiel Sanford, Jr., 
Abel Sutliff, Jr., 
Samuel Scovill, Jr., 
Jesse Turner, 
William Tuttle, 
Thomas Williams, 
Eli Welton, 
Thomas Way, 
Ozias Warner, 
Thomas Williams, Jr. 
Samuel Wav. 



INDEX, 



A. 






Bronson, Lt. Josiah, 


4*70 


Andruss Family, 




131 


Capt. Ezra, 


471 


John, 




25 


Philo, 


473 


Joseph, 




28 


Silas, 


474 


Abraham, Sen., 




131 


Noah M., 


475 


Abraham, Jr., 




134 


Brown Genealogy, 


478 


Abraham, 3d, 




133 


Dea. James, 


387 


John, 




133 


James, 


244 


Thomas, 




133 


Capt. Hezekiah, 


321 


Arnold, Nathaniel, Sen., 




244 


Beebe, Lt. Ira, 


343 


Rev. Jonathan, 




293 


Blakeslee Genealogy, 


466 


Alcott Genealogy, 




459 


James, 


245 


Amos Bronson, 




4^7. 


Rev. Solomon, 


303 


Dr. William A., 




447 


Dea. Moses. 


467 


Adams Genealogy, 




458 


Capt. Thomas, 


468 


Articles of settlement of Mattatuck 


8 


Barnes Family, 


135 








Benjamin, 


135 


B. 






John, 


136 


Bronson Genealogy, 


137 


, 469- 


Thomas, 


136 


John of FarmingtOQ, ■ 


12 


, 137 


Butler, Calvin, 


388 


Abraham, 




25 


Barber, Rev. Horace V. 


305 y 

463/ 


John 1st of Waterbury, 


138 


Benedict Genealogy, 


Serj. Isaac, 


33 


140 


Dea. Thomas, 


463 


Rev. Tillotson, 


304 


376 


Amos, 


370 


Isaac, Jr., 141 ; fined 


for 




Aaron, 


465 


breaking the Sabbath 




Dea. Aaron, 


448 


318 ; his petition, 




318 


Buckingham Genealogy- 


479 


Dr. Isaac, 




370 


Rev. Mr , 


283 


Ethel, 




374 


Burning about the common fence. 


57 


Isaac H., 




375 


Boundaries, settlement of, 


74 


Bennet, 




379 


Buckshill settled. 


251 


Enos, 




384 


Break-neck Hill settled, 


251 


William, 




139 


Bars, common, 


58 


Moses, 




139 


Birth, first on record. 


130 


John 2d, 




141 


first male on record, 


130 


Joseph, 




142 


first in Westbury, 


550 


Thomas 1st, 




142 


Bridges, 


98 / 
369/ 


Ebenezer, 




142 


Burying yards, 228 


Lt. Michael, 




344 


Brand, town. 


209 


Hon. Alvin, 




450 


Bills of credit. 


284 



37 



578 



143, 



316, 
219, 

mem- 



Carpenter, David, 
Carrington, John, 
, John, Jr., 

\ Clark Genealogy, 
Thomas, 
Rev. Anson, 
Castle Genealogy, 
Isaac, 

Capt. Phineas, 
Cook Genealogy, 
Calkins, Israel, taken prisoner. 
Clerks of town, 
Commissioners of town, 
Committee, grand, 

their last act. 
Church, 1st of Waterbury organiz' 
ed, 206 ; members of, 207 ; Bap. 
tist, 553; Methodist Episcopal. 
556 ; Catholic, 558 ; 2d Congre- 
gational, 
Church and State, 
Congregationalism, the established 

religion, 
Clocks, 

Churchmen of Waterbury, 
Clergy, Episcopal, 
Constitutional Convention 

bers of, 
Currency, depreciation of, 

D. 
Dutton, Rev. Aaron, 

Rev. Matthew R. 
Henry, LL. D., 
De Forest Genealogy, 
Deed, Indian, of 1657,2; of 1674, 
10; deeds of 1684 and 1685, 62, 
63; of 1711, 64; of 1674, assign- 
ed by committee, 15 ; of release 
from General Court, 
Deacons of Waterbury, 29, 291 ; of 

Westbury, 261; of Northbury, 
Deaths of proprietors, 
Dayton robbery. 
Deputies of Waterburv, 

of Watertowii, 573 ; of Ply- 
mouth, 574 ; of Middle- 
bury, 



Ecclesiastical affairs, 

Episcopacy in Waterbury, 231, 292 ; 
names of churchmen, 294 ; town 
votes £12 for a site for a church, 
295 ; church built, 295 ; petition 
for parish privileges, and names of 
petitioners, 296 ; glebe lands, 297 ; 
parish votes, 300 ; second house 



563 

567 

6 



558 
315 



of worship built, 306 ; dedicated, 
307 ; Rev. James Scovill's letter, 

Episcopacy in Westbury, 3oO; 
names of churchmen, 3o8 ; house 
of worship built, 308 ; second house 
of worship, 309 ; church funds, &c , 

Episcopacy in Northbury, 310 ; 
names of some of the members, 
3] 1 ; society organized, 312 ; new 
church erected, 313 ; fund, 311, 



Fulford, Gershom, 

Foot, Rev. David, 

Foote, Ebcnezer, 
Samuel A., 

Fenn, Dea. Thomas, 

Farrell, Almon, 

Farniington church 
1677-8, 

Fence, common, 

Field, common, 
owners in, 

Forts, 

Floods, 

Families at Judd's Meadow, 
Wooster Swamp, 
Buckshill, 
Westbury, 

Farmingbury petition for winter 
privileges, 279 ; not granted, 280 ; 
again petitions with success, 280 ; 
made a society, 282 ; a town, 282 

Freemen, list of, 248 

French army passes through Water- 
bury, 359 

Fulling mills, 9 1 



243 
303 
390 
456 
390 
389 
tion of 

46 

47, 62 

47, 62 

5 

102, 103, 104 

111, 112 

237. 

237 

237 

257 



G. 

Gridley, Thomas, 

Samuel, 
Gaylord Family, 

Joseph, Sen., 

Joseph, Ji'., 

John, 

William, 
Griswold, Rev. Alexander V., 
Green, Rev. William, 
Guernsey Genealogy, 

Dea. Jonathan, 
Gates, common, 

H. 

Higason, William, 
Hancox, Thomas, 
Hickox Genealogy, 

Sergt. Samuel, 

Joseph 1st, 

Samuel 2d, 



26 
26 
145 
145 
146 
147 
147 
304 
304 
491 
491 
57 



147 
148, 496 ^ 
148 
151 
149 



Hickox, William, 149 

Dea. Thomas, lo( 

Joseph 2d, 15( 

Stephen, loO 

Benjamin, 150 

Dea. Samuel, 498 

Rev. Laurens P., 498 

\ Hopkins Genealogy, 151, 502 

John, of Hartford, 151 

Stephen, of Hartford, 151 

John, of "Waterbury, 152 

Rev. Samuel, 398 

Samuel, D. D., 399 

Daniel, D, D., 408 

Mark, 4ia 

Joseph, Esq., 411 

Jesse, 412 

Dr. Lemuel, 414 

Samuel M., LL. D., 416 

Stephen, of Waterbury, 153 

Timothy, 153 

Hurlbut, Joseph, ■ 245 

Hart, Rev. Seth, 304 

Rev. Luther, 393 

Hoadley, David, 396 

David, Jr., 45G 

Holmes, Capt. Reuben, 396 

Israel, 457 

"V Harrison Genealogy, 495 

Hotchkiss Genealogy, 505 

Dea. Gideon, 506 

Herding, 58 

Home lots, 11, 22 

Houses, log, erected, 11 

Horses, wild, 209 

Highways, IV, 93 

Hogfields, 42 

I. 

Ives, Dr. Ambrose, 420 

Incorporation of Waterbury, 67 

Indians kill Holt, 105 

capture Scott, 105 
Indian character, 65, 107 



Judd Genealogy, 155, 

Dea. Thomas, of Farmington, 
Sergt. William, 27, 46, 



Benjamin, 

Thomas, Jr., 

Lt. Thomas, 

Philip, 

William, son of Philip, 

Philip, Jr., 

Dea. Thomas, 

Capt. William, 

John, 

Rev. Jonathan, 

Samuel, 

John, of Farmington, 



Jones, Benjamin, 154 

Judd's Meadow settled, 250 

Justices of peace, 567 



Kingsbury Genealogy, 517 v 

John, 424 

Maj. Julius J. B. 422 

Kendrick Genealogy, 513 

Green, 514 



L. 

Leavenworth Genealogy, 

Rev. Mark, 516 ; his ministry, 
283 ; is chaplain in the 
French war, 289 ; reproves 
Samuel Root for sleeping 
in meeting, 
Mark, son of Jesse, 425, 

Lankton or Langdon, John, 
Lewis Genealogy, 165, 

Dea. Joseph, 
Joseph, sentenced, 
Ludington, William, 
Lyon, Rev. James, 
La Fayette, Gen. 
Luxuries after the Revolution, 
Lists of Waterbury, 
List of polls and estate in 1737, 
Lands, Record of, 23 ; divisions of, 
38, 39, 40, 41, 124, 127 ; se- 
questered, 77, 80, 82, 84, 91, 203; 
sold, 239; grants of, 42, 127; 
given away, 117 ; ministerial, 
203, 229; school. 
Little pasture, 203 



289 
518 
27 
518 
165 
322 
245 
293 
358 
365 
564 / 
565 



239 
230 



M. 



Mansfield, Rev. Richard, 293 

Merriman Genealogy, 480 • 

Manufacturing in Waterburv, 411, 559 
Mills, 79 to 93 ; mill place, 86 ; mill 

lands, 84 

Meeting house, petition respecting, 
208; alterations of, 222; seating 
of, 223 ; votes respecting a new 
meeting house, 224; it is par- 
tially finished, 226 ; seating of, 
227 ; vote to finish it, 227 ; third 
meeting house, 291 

Minister's propriety, 34 

Minister's house, 204, 213; subscri- 
bers names, 214 
Middlebury petition for winter priv- 
ileges, 276 ; made a society, 278 ; 
a town, 279 
Miscellaneous items, 357 



580 



mDEX. 



5 

28, 167 
168 
168 
15 
243 
101 



Newell Family, 167 

Thomas and others petition- 
ers in 1673, 
Thomas, Sen. 
Thomas, Jr. 
John, 

Naugatuck, origin of name, 

New settlers. 

Navigation of the Naugatuck, 

Non-intercourse with Great Britain, 335 

Northbury settled, 261 ; names of set- 
tlers and petition for winter priv- 
leges, 262 ; incorporated as a so- 
ciety, 264 ; petition to the Legis- 
lature for a committee to estab- 
lish boundaries of the society, 
264 ; first society meeting in- 
vites Mr. Todd to settle, he ac- 
cepts and is ordained, 265 ; his 
dismission, 268 ; Rev. Andrew 
Storrs, 269 ; early deacons, 269 ; 
first house of worship, 270 ; first 
meeting house, 270; second meet- 
ing house, 274 ; seating of the 
same, 274 



Olmstead, Lt. Nicholas, 
Oxford parish incorporated, 



Peck, Rev. Jeremiah, 34, 169; in- 




vited to settle at Waterbury, 204 ; 




he accepts, 204 ; agreement with. 




204; his death, 210; his resi- 




dence at New Haven, Guilford, 




Saybrook, Newark and Green- 




wich, 


210 


Peck Genealogy, 


169 


Dea. Jeremiah, 


170 


Jeremiah, Jr., 


170 


Caleb, 


170 


Samuel, 


170 


Joshua, 


171 


Porter Genealogy, 171 


519 


Doct. Daniel, of Farmington 


171 


Doct. Daniel, of Waterbury, 


172 


Doct. Daniel, Jr., 


173 


James, 


173 


Thomas, 


173 


Richard, 


173 


Doct. Daniel, son of Rich- 




ard, 


174 


Samuel, 


175 


Timothy, 


175 


Rev. Edward, 


290 


J.ohn, 


26 


Robert, 


175 



Porter, Thomas, of Farmington, 
Potter, Gen. Daniel, 
Prindle, Jonathan, 
Nathan, 

Rev. Chauncey, 303, 

Prichard Genealogy, 
Petition of inhabitants of Farming- 
ton for a settlement at Mattatuck, 
in 1673, 
Petition of Rev. J. Peck and Isaac 
Bronson for permission to organ- 
ize a church. 
Petition of Isaac Bronson, Jr., 
Patents of Waterbury, 67 

Protest of John Stanley against pro- 
prietors giving away lands, 
Probate Courts, 563 ; judges of. 
Pounds, 

Puritans, character of. 
Population, increase of, 

of Waterbury, 
Physicians of Waterbury, 
Perambulation, 
Proprietors, first meeting of, 
rights, amount of, 
names of, 9, 24, 31 

55, 70, 
bachelor, 113 to 120; 
original and bachelor 
of 1722, 125; vacan- 
cies of how filled, 
30; subscribers who 
secured their rights, 
31; votes of, of 1697 
and 1702-3. 



175 
427 
245 
245 
309 
524^ 



/ 



243, 
362. 



40, 



118 
563 

61 . 
243/ 
566 
566 
291 

76 

13 

34 

125 



116 



R. 

Root, John, 29 

Samuel, 289 

Richards Genealogy, 176 

Obadiah," 176 

John, 178 

Hon. Mark, 427 

Obadiah, Jr., 178 

Thomas, 178 

Benjamin, 178 

Richardson Genealogy, 179, 526 

Thomas, 179 

John, 180 

Thomas, Jr., . 180 

Israel, 180 

Nathaniel, 181 

Ebenezer, 181 
Reed, Rev. John, invited to settle, 212 
Report of committee to view Matta- 
tuck, 5 ; action of the Court on 

the same, 6 

Roads, 17, 93, 357 

Removal of proprietors, 113 

Revival of 1740, 296 



INDEX. 



681 



Representatives of Waterbury to 

Gen. Court, 569 ; of Watertown, 

573; of Plymouth, 5*74; ofMiddle- 

\ bury, 515; to GoBSlitutionaLCoo- 

^ V£atioa.iii. 47§8, 



S. 
V Steele, Ens. Samuel, 

Rev. Ashbel, / 
Stanley Family, 

Capt. John, 
Lt. John, 
John, Jr., 
Samuel, 
Timothy 2d, 
Lt. Timothy, 
Southmayd, Rev. John, 34, IS*/ ; in- 
vited to settle, 215; ordained, 
216 ; asks the town to procure 
another minister, 218 ; offices 
vhich he held, 220 ; inventory of 



575 



V 
547 
1 

188 
13, 41, 118, 189 
191 
191 
191 
191 



bis estate, 
Southmayd, John, Jr., 

Capt. Daniel, 
Samuel W., 
Seymour, Richard, 
Smith, Maj. David, 
Scovill Genealogy, 

John 1st, 

Sergt. John, 

Lt. John, 

Rev. James, 

J. M. Lamson, 

William H. 
Small pox, 
Scott Genealogy, 



221 

188, 287 

188, 434 

435 

26 

349 

186 

186 

187 

187 

299, 301 

429 

431 

357 

181, 527 



Jonathan, and his two sons, 
taken by the Indians, 105, 184 



Thomas, 

Edmund, Sen. 

Edmund, Jr., 

Samuel, 
• George, 

John, 

Robert, 

Joseph, 

Jonathan, Jr., 

Eleazer, 

Dr. Daniel, 

David, 
Storrs, Rev. Andrew, 
Smith, Junius, LL. D., 
Settlement of Waterbury begun, 
Schools, 234 ; votes of the town re 

specting them. 

School lands, sale of, 

house, 

moneys, 

Sheep, 

Sabbath day houses. 



181 
181 
183 
32, 184 
182 
184 
183 
183 
185 
185 
186 
182 
269 
432 
16 

235 
239 
238 
240 
69 
228 



Sickness of 1712, 113 ; of 1749, 324 

Slaves, • 320 y 

Slavery abolished in Conn., 323/ 

Saw mills, 90 

Scouts, 102 

Subscribers to the articles of settle- 
ment, 9 
Subscribers, delinquent, 24, 45 
who secured their 
rights, 31 
Streets, original village, l7 
Settlers, first, of Waterbury, per- 
sonal notices of, 129 167'^ 
Settlers, new, notices of, , ' 245 / 
Society, 1st, first meeting of, 283 



Talcott, Maj. John, q 
Terry, Eli, 435 
Todd, Rev. Samuel, 266 
Thomas, Samuel, 245 
Trumbull, Rev. John, 258 
John, LL. D., 441 
house, 260 
Town meetings, 334^ 345 
Tax payers of 1760, 277 ; of 1737, 565 
hsts, &c., ■ 362 
Town plot, old, 10, 14, 36, 37/ 
new, i7y 
Townsmen and constables first cho- 
sen, '76 
Trainband, 110»' 
Tories, 347, 352, 354 
laws against, 352 



Genealogy, 193 

Sergt. Stephen, 193 

Thomas, of Hartford, 193 

Stephen, Jr., 194 

Stephen, Esq., 443 

Benoni, D. D., 443 

Thomas, of Waterbury, 194 

John, 194 



Village lots. 



252 



W. 



Webster, Lt. Robert, 
Wadsworth, Ens. John, 
Warner Genealogy, 

John of Farmington, 

John, 

Daniel 1st, 

Daniel 2d, 

Doct. John, 

Samuel, 

Thomas, 



/ 



195 

24, 195 
195 

25, 198 
198 
196 
200 



582 



Waruer, Doct. Ephraini, 196 

JJeujamin, 199 

John, son of Thomas, 199 

Ebenezer, 198 

\ Robert, 198 

vWelton Genealogy, 200 

John, 200 

John, Jr. 201 

Stephen, 201 

Richard, 201 

Thomas, 20 1 

George, 201 

Capt. John, 446 

Woodward Genealogy, 551 

Weeks, Rev. Holland, 290 

Waterman, Rev. Simeon, 269 

Wooster, Rev. Benjamin, 446 

^ Washington, Gen. 3.58 

Year, old and new, 16 

Waterbury incorporated, 67 

origin of name, 67 

patents of, 67, 68, 69 

petitions Gen. Court, for 

abatement of taxe.s, 208, 325 



Wooster Swamp, 252 

Westbury settled, 252; petitions 
for winter privileges, 254 ; peti- 
tions for a distinct society and is 
opposed by town, 255 ; again pe- 
titions with success, 256 ; location 
of its meeting house, 258 ; its 
early deacons, 26 1 ; incorporated 
as a town, 275 

War, Indian, 101; King Philip's, 
11 ; French, and names of 
/ soldiers engaged in, 326 

vjVar, Revolutionary, 329 ; officers 
of alarm companies, 340 ; 
names of men who left Wa- 
terbury intending to join the 
enemy, 854; La Fayette, 
AVashington and the French 
army, 359 ; clothing furnish- 
ed, '341 ; names of soldiers 
in the war, 349; provisions / 

furnished by Watertown, 360 V 

Wild horses, 209 



Page l:-;8, l.'.th lino froMi top. for 1647. read 1747. 

Page 188, 17tli line from top— Mr. Kilhourn. in liis " Kilbourn Family," state.<s 
that Sarah Bronson ni. John Kilbouin. 

Page 150, 11th and 12tli lines from bottom, /'or of Dmluun previously of Say- 
brook ? read of Farmington. 

Page I6ii, 3d line from top, /be Wrothern read Wrotham. 

Page 175, 18tli line from top, /or but not, ecrtf/and. 

Page 181. Erane tlie paragraph next after " Scott." Thomas Scott had an only 
son, yiiomas, and 3 daughters, Mary, Sarah, and Elizabeth. I know not whose 
son Edmund Scott, Sen. was. 

Page 18:>, liUh ami 1 Itli liues from top, eraac 1 suppose he was a literal bachelor. 

Page 18C). /^'/vfsv tlu' four last lines. The error arose from iiiisundcrstanding 
Mr. Porter' ; manusoriiH. John Scovill is not known to have but one child, John. 

Page 2'.»it, 2d line from bottom, /'»• where he died, r<''id ami died in Xew 
Haven. 

I For other corrections, see the beginning of the volume.] 



i Alii2-. 0,\hl.8. 



/ 



COKEECTIONS. 



Page 123, 22d line from top, /or 1622, read 1^722. 

" 142, last line, for Sept. 28, read Sept. 29. 

" 173, 19th line from top, /or 17*70, reaJ 1720. 

" 371, 4th line from bottom, erase traveled in Europe. 

" 374, 12th line from top, /or 1798, read 1796. 

" 374, 13th line from bottom, /or 86th, read 85th. 

" 374, 14th Une from bottom, for 1839, read 1838. 

" 377, 15th and 16th Unes from top, /or by invitation of the Episcopal Con- 
vention, read in compliance with the wishes of the Episcopal clergy 
and laity. 

" 377, last line but one, /or Rev. Dr. Noble's, read Rev. Mr. Noble's. 

" 387, 11th line from bottom, for the Brown & Elton Co., reacZ Brown & 
Elton. (The sentence is badly constructed.) 

" 398, 5th line from top, /or 1852, read 1832. 

" 398, 11th line from bottom, for St. Louis, read Jefferson Barracks. 

" 422, loth line from bottom, for Denizen, read Denison. 

" 423, 4th line from bottom, /or Becker, reac? Bicker. 

" 423, 6th line from bottom, era.se the clause in parenthetic marks. 

" 430, 4th line from bottom, /or Washington College, read Trinity College, s/ 

" 431, 15th line from top, for Lawson, read Lamson. 

" 450, 8th line from top, for Alvan, read Alvin. 

" 450, last line, for Gilbert, read Gillet. 

" 451, 6th, 8th, 20th and 28th lines from top, for Gilbert, read Gillet. 

" 452, 5th and 20th lines from top, for port, read post. 

" 459, 12th line from top, /or John Alcott, reac? John Alcocke. 

" 495, 4th line from bottom,' /or 1639, read 1739 ? 



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